Chapter 1: On the train
Lyra’s fidgeting in her seat was beginning to drive Bon Bon nuts
"Lyra Heartstrings! If you don't hold still right now, I swear I'll tie you up for the rest of the ride."
Lyra stopped and tried to look apologetic but she couldn't stop grinning all over
"I'm sorry, but I still can't believe it. We're going to the Crystal Empire and we'll play at the crystal faire! I'm just excited."
Crystal Note on the seat opposite of her nodded and even Vinyl seemed more upbeat today
"Yeah! And not just that, but we're on stage right after the princess. Could this be more awesome or what?"
Lyra and Vinyl exchanged a hoof-bump and grinned but Bon Bon just curled up a little more in her seat
"Well I'm glad you're not the least bit nervous at all..."
Lyra immediately stopped grinning and put her hooves around her friend with a far softer smile
"Hey, don't worry Bonnie. I know you'll do great. Besides, I'll be with you the whole time when we're on stage."
Bon Bon smiled and leaned into the hug, now visibly relaxing as she closed her eyes. Next to her, Crystal Note saw Vinyl and Octavia exchange a knowing look and a smile before Octavia went back to her note sheets.
Out of all the ponies, the two of them had the most experience with big stages and large crowds. Lyra once told Crystal Note she'd been playing some concerts as well when she was still living in Canterlot, so she might come close, but most ponies of their little music ensemble only had a few small gigs yet. For Bon Bon it would be the second time on a stage overall.
Crystal Note looked around the train car they all shared and saw Clear Skies laughing at one of her own jokes as usual and next to her Neon Lights twirled his drumsticks with his magic. Those two, together with Lyra, Octavia and Crystal Note had started the ensemble, with Vinyl joining in shortly after. Now a dozen other ponies sat in the car, all of them eager to perform for the crystal ponies in the Empire. The back of the car was filled with suitcases and instruments.
From what she could see, only Bon Bon seemed to be nervous yet. Crystal Note never had much of stage fright, she simply enjoyed playing music with the others too much, but she was particularly nervous about this performance in her old home.
She had been visiting Rose Quartz a couple of times but tried to keep a low profile about it. Which had been rather hard, since she was the only crystal unicorn in all of Equestria. Now, she'd be out there for everypony to see again. Hopefully this time things would turn out for the better. She still remembered how the crystal ponies had reacted on her first appearance in the Empire, most of them had been afraid and some even angry. Only a few had even talked with her during her later visits and she was sure that most of that had only been as a favour to her sister in all but blood, Rose Quartz.
With Bon Bon calmed down by Lyra and Vinyl joining Octavia for some last minute preparations, Crystal Note ended up staring out of the window and losing herself in her thoughts for a while. She remembered the night a year back when she had been alone in a similar train cart. Back then she'd been both terrified by the Crystal Empire but also desperate to find out more about herself.
She smiled softly when she remembered how trapped she'd felt that day despite the cart being almost empty. Now, the car was full with her friends and none of those feelings remained. She would not be alone in the Empire and maybe this concert would a chance to change how she was seen by the crystal ponies.
In the distance, she could see the Crystal Mountains coming closer already, it wouldn't be too long until they reached the Empire. Octavia had planed well ahead, they'd arrive two days in advance so they could all get a chance to relax after the long train ride as well as a last rehearsal before the crystal faire started.
It would be the third faire since the return of the Crystal Empire. The first one had been improvised by Twilight Sparkle and her friends, only days after the crystal ponies and the crystal heart had been returned to its former power. The second faire had been shortly after, this time organized by Princess Cadance herself. It had been a very traditional one with lots of old customs and without any outside visitors. Crystal Note had been invited but declined, she didn't really feel like a crystal unicorn would fit into festivities, especially considering how most of the crystal ponies had to suffer from King Sombra’s unicorn soldiers. She didn't want the faire to be spoiled by bad memories caused by her appearance.
The crystal faire this year was destined to be different. Princess Cadance had invited ponies from all over Equestria. There would still be old customs and traditions, but the princess had seen that each event would receive some contribution form another region as well. There would be competitors from Canterlot joining the jousting tournament, Appleloosa agreed to set up a stand where they'd give out their famous apple goods, and the Ponyville Music Ensemble would be a part of the grand ceremony.
"You doing okay, Crissy?"
Crystal Note blinked and looked away from the window. With a hoof wrapped around the other, Lyra and Bon Bon were watching her now with a worried frown. Crystal Note smiled softly and nodded but Bon Bon was not convinced
"Are you sure about that? You don't look like it."
Crystal Note looked down and noticed her coat had turned a little more grey than usual. She closed her eyes and took a deep, cleansing breath, then looked back at her friends as her usual silvery-white self
"I was just thinking about something and..."
"It'll be different this time."
Crystal Note blinked confused and Bon Bon rolled her eyes
"Oh, come on. You shouldn't be surprised we figured it out, after you told us what happened a year ago."
Crystal Note blushed and looked down at the floor, but then nodded
"Wanna talk about it?"
She shook her head
"Maybe later?"
Another shake of the head, then a nod.
Lyra and Bon Bon looked at each other and sighed at the expected silent treatment. Both got up and sat down left and right from the crystal unicorn and joined her in staring out of the window. Crystal Note said nothing but she didn't move away. The two friends knew Crystal Note well enough to know their gesture was appreciated, so they stayed at her side silently.
The ponies around them kept up their cheery chatter and laughter. Crystal Note didn't notice much of it, all words directed to her were lost in a blurry of her thoughts.
Luckily Lyra and Bon Bon were there watching over her, so she allowed herself those minutes of worry and insecurity. She had those little relapses every now and then, but she only trusted a handful of ponies enough to let them know.
The three friends remained on their seats as the train went on and reached the mountains. Crystal Note’s ears perked up when she heard some singing from behind them and finally pulled her gaze away from the window. She smiled when she saw Spring Meadow and the other vocalists had gathered for a little practice. Crystal Note was usually on her violin when they performed but since she was also very practiced in singing, she’d quickly taken charge of their little choir during practice and rehearsals. On occasion, she’d join in for background singing but unlike Bon Bon, she didn’t perform as a lead singer in a song yet.
Her two friends gently nudged her sides and with a soft smile, she got up from her seat and joined in the singing. Vinyl and Octavia joined Lyra and Bon Bon as they watched and listened with smiles of their own. As usual, the moment Crystal Note joined in all the other ponies followed her lead and fell quickly into a melodious harmony. Although she seemed to be oblivious of it, Crystal Note always managed to find the right melody for every pony to shine in their singing without overshadowing the other members of the choir. Even Bon Bon who wasn’t a professional singer or musician could notice the difference in their performance as soon as Crystal Note decided to sing along.
At some point of their singing, Crystal Note suddenly fell silent and her ears perked up. She stared into nothingness with a confused expression just for a few moments, but long enough for the others to notice and stop singing as well. Lyra and Bon Bon even exchanged a worried glance, but then Crystal Note broke into a huge smile. She stepped to the front of the car and close to the window, her nose almost pressing against the glass. The others gathered behind her and tried to get to see what would be out there but all they could make out was a wall of rock, probably one of the mountains they’d seen earlier.
Then, the train passed the mountain and revealed the Crystal Empire in the distance. Most ponies gasped and stared as it was the first time they’d actually seen it and even those who’d visited for the Equestria Games some time ago found themselves overwhelmed once more.
In the distance, many buildings of different heights reached into the sky, all made of crystal and shining in all colours of the rainbow. The sun stood high above the Empire and the colours seemed to shift and blend into each other. Every crystal structure glimmered and shined as the train kept moving closer. The ponies of the ensemble pressed their noses against the window to take in as much of the breathtakingly beautiful display as possible.
Soon, their attention was draw away from their sight when Crystal Note started singing. The silvery mare kept her eyes on the Empire, her voice as clear as the crystal the buildings were made of and equally bright and colourful as she sang a song they hadn’t heard before
Shining crystal peaks
Down to the frozen ground below
We’ve worked the artic earth
And reaped the bounty that we’ve sown
Gleaming in the sun
Our colours shine in every hue
We’ve fought off every foe
And seen our troubles through
Standing side by side
Our nation fortunate and free
A righteous pony empire
For us all to see
Crystal Note continued to hum and sing her song without words and the others smiled when they noticed her friend’s coat getting more and more sparkly. At some point of her song, Crystal Note had closed her eyes but when her song was finished and she opened them again, they shone as much as her coat
“Welcome to the Crystal Empire, everypony!”