//------------------------------// // Rememberance - the only chapter // Story: Crystal Note - Where life leads us // by TalkingToMyself //------------------------------// It was still a good hour before sunrise when the first lights were turned on in the homes of the Crystal Empire. Even in the palace, everypony seemed on their hooves very early, when the first moon of spring was still in the sky. Because they were so far up north, the moon could be seen next to the sun for a couple of hours on this day. The crystal ponies called this time ‘spirit’s moon’ and had so for many generations now. In one of the larger homes at the end of an alleyway, Crystal Note also lit some candles for light. She’d barely slept out of worry and concern, but she kept her calm smile as she headed to wake Glass Slipper, Sweetie Tooth and Velvet Heart. Today, she needed to be very strong for them, as this was the first spirit’s moon since their parents had lost their lives in that terrible accident. Unlike the ponies of Equestria, the crystal ponies of the Crystal Empire only visited the graves of their ancestors and families once a year, on this very day. While each home had a little shrine with memories of their passed ones, this day was dedicated to mourn and remember. Now, after the war that had cost so many lives, this day was even more important to everypony as it had ever been. Crystal Note knocked on Glass Slipper’s door and the teenage filly opened right away. She had rings under her eyes as she had only gotten little sleep as well, but she had brushed her coat to shine and arranged her mane into a traditional braid. Their eyes met and Crystal Note gently pulled the filly in for a gentle squeeze, which the teenager accepted without any shame. She even managed a small, if sad smile for her caretaker. Together, they went downstairs and to the twin’s bedroom. Velvet Heart stirred and opened her eyes as soon as the door opened, but Sweetie Tooth needed a little nudge to wake up. She was confused at first because it was still dark, but then she remembered what day it was and tears gleamed in her eyes. Velvet Heart already stood next to Crystal Note when Sweetie Tooth climbed out of bed and she had tear-stains on her cheeks as well. The mare and the older sister managed to keep up their soft smiles for the young twins. Tears were dried and Crystal Note helped the fillies brushing their coat with the soft brush their mother had once used. Glass Slipper braided their manes to match her own. All the time, not a single word had been spoken. Even so, Crystal Note poured all comfort and support she could into every little gesture and touch. About half an hour and a light breakfast later, the four ponies left their home and walked down the streets towards the west. On their way, more and more ponies joined them, all with the same sad and sombre expressions, their natural colours dulled and faded. Most of them were crystal ponies of course, but this year some new faces joined the procession. The first few ponies from Equestria had moved to live in the Crystal Empire that year, and now they came to show their respect to the traditions of their new home. Shy and cautious, the earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns slipped between the small groups of crystal ponies. Most of them wore a black ribbon on their left hoof, a tradition Crystal Note had seen in Canterlot before. The crystal unicorn noticed a few hugs of comfort between the ponies and some mumbled words of condolence, but just like her three charges, most of the ponies remained silent. The ponies filed through the iron gates of the cemetery west of the city, their heads hung low in sadness for those they lost, or in respect for those who had come to rest. To Crystal Note, seeing so many graves and only so few ponies in between was one of the saddest images she had ever witnessed. The crystal ponies soon found the graves of their families and loved ones. They stood before them in deep silence and sadness. The ponies who had just moved here gathered around the monument of the four tribes, a large statue in the middle of the cemetery. On a marble plinth, four ponies formed out of crystal stared towards the rising sun. One of them with a horn, one with wings on its back, two with none of those features, even if one had emeralds as eyes. The inscription on the socket dedicated this statue to all four tribes who had lost ponies during the war between King Sombra’s Empire and the nation of Equestria. The sun had already joined the spirit moon when the royal family joined the ponies of the Empire. Up front was Shining Armour, Prince of the Empire and general to the crystal guard, in his full dress uniform. He held his head high and stood tall, but instead of his usual smirk, today he carried a hard and stoic expression. The Princess of the Crystal Empire, Princess Cadance, keeper of the crystal heart and Princess of Love, followed in her husband’s steps. She stood just a hoof taller than the prince, but her head was lowered in respect. She held her large alicorn wings wide spread and the ethereal strands of her colourful mane waved in an unseen breeze. Her eyes sought out the gaze of every pony she passed and they could all clearly see the tears gleaming in the princess’ eyes already. Even in deep sorrow, the alicorn princess carried her natural aura of grace and benevolence. Right behind them followed Princess Flurry Heart. Compared to her mother’s long strides, the filly had to trot to keep up. Like her mother, she had her smaller wings spread out and a tiara sat on her head. Unlike her parents though, the young filly did not carry herself well. Everypony could see her uneasiness to be at a place like this and she struggled to hold back tears. Even though she had nopony to mourn about, seeing so many others who did had Flurry Heart lose herself in earnest sadness, born out of compassion. The royal couple took their spots in front the monument, with their daughter between them. Sunburst, the royal crystaller and unicorn stallion, stayed behind them in a respectful distance. Today, out of respect he’d chosen to not wear his blue cape. With him stood Lieutenant Flash Sentry of the crystal guard, in full dress armour as well. Along with Sunburst, the pegasus was the first non-crystal pony to live in the Empire, so now the new citizens gathered around them while the crystal ponies stood by the graves of their loved ones. Crystal Note saw her sister Rose Quartz in the royal procession and when their eyes met, they shared a look of agreement. With a sad nod, Rose Quartz made her way to the spot where their own parents lay to rest. As much as Crystal Note longed to join her and cry for her parents at her side, they both knew she was needed somewhere else today. The mare gently guided her three fillies to a pair of fresh graves. Sweetie Tooth already clung on her hoof for the last steps and as soon as she sat back on her haunches, she felt Velvet Heart bury her face against the other leg. Glass Slipper sat down close to her sister, but Crystal Note could see clearly that the teenage filly struggled not to break down as well. Sadly, all Crystal Note could do was be there, show them that they weren’t alone and share their tears. The crowd mourned silently for the most part. Only the occasional sob broke through. Velvet Heart sniffled and tried to muffle the sounds against Crystal Note’s flank, Sweetie Tooth cried openly. Glass Slipper scooted closer to her sisters in a weak effort of comfort, but the pain was still too fresh and their sadness too strong. The spirit moon started to fade after some time and Princess Cadance broke the constricting silence. Her voice was a little shaky, but brimmed with emotion and loud as she started to sing. The song she had chosen was slow and old, and it was tradition for the mares of the Crystal Empire to sing it during the spirit moon. The crystal ponies clearly appreciated that their princess honoured this old tradition and soon more mares joined in. Crystal Note was one of the first to add her strong and clear voice to the song and very soon, the others followed her lead as the song filled the air. The ponies finally let out the pent up emotion and there was barely any face without tears left. The three fillies reached their breaking point and cried uncompromisingly loud, but they were not alone. Crystal Note wrapped her hooves around Sweetie Tooth and Velvet Heart and pulled them close against her into a tight embrace, just as she had done on the very first day they had met. Glass Slipper pressed against the mare’s side in search for comfort, and Crystal Note gently lay her head on the filly’s when she felt tears running down into her coat. The sad song of remembrance went on until the spirit moon vanished from the sky. The ponies set into motions, visiting the graves of other friends or going out to comfort those who were still mourning. Many ponies joined the three fillies and their caretaker to pay respect to the recently passed and to share words of condolence and comfort. The fillies were in no state to reply, but Crystal Note made an effort to look gratefully at everypony and thank them. One of the last to join them was her friend Sour Berry, who stayed with them for a while. The fillies only slowly recovered and Crystal Note held them all the while. Even though she had poured her heart into the old song of Princess Cadance, she still felt that sadness that tugged at her soul, just like the fillies. She closed her eyes and followed her emotion as a song came to her mind. Without any hesitation, she sang for her fillies and everypony to hear It’s been a long day Without you my friend And I’ll tell you all about it When I see you again. We came a long road From where we began And I’ll tell you all about it When I see you again When I see you again… This time it took a while longer, but before long ponies joined into the song once more. Unlike before, now the earth ponies and unicorns from southern Equestria sang as well or at least hummed along. Princess Cadance mingled into the small groups of ponies to share some comfort as much as she could. She was always greeted with small bows, but the citizens knew their Princess well enough by now to know that she didn’t enjoy being treated differently. Cadance tried to share a few words with every pony she passed, but she made her way to the fillies and their caretaker. Crystal Note felt a small touch on her shoulder and when she turned her head, the Princess was smiling at her, thankful but also comforting. With a small gesture and a little nudge, she sent Crystal Note to join her sister who still sat all by herself in front of the graves. The fillies only noticed when Crystal Note loosened her embrace, but before they could react, Princess Cadance was there to pull them into another soft hug with her wings and hooves. Crystal Note reached Rose Quartz and slumped down next to her. Her sister’s tears had already run out and the streaks on her cheeks had almost dried, but her colours were still dulled. Even her usually bright pink mane looked grey. Rose Quartz touched her hoof with her own and Crystal Note couldn’t hold back any longer. For a few minutes, she forgot about everything else and just cried. Two ponies stood clear in her memories and their faces wore loving smiles. She felt Rose Quartz hug her gently and Crystal Note nodded with a last little sob. When they turned around to leave, the fillies were already waiting for her, along with Princess Cadance and her family. They were one of the lasts to pass the monument of the four tribes one last time. Their candles joined the dozens already burning and flickering in front of the plinth and with one last deep bow from princesses, the ponies finally left the cemetery again. Glass Slipper stayed close to Crystal Note and Rose Quartz took her other side. The teenage filly clearly appreciated the comfort and leaned gently into the mare as they walked. Flurry Heart, now far less princess-ly as during the ceremony, quickly rushed between Sweetie Tooth and Velvet Heart as soon as they passed the gate. The alicorn filly hated seeing her friends like this and despite all the sadness, she managed to lure out some soft smiles which caused her to bubble into giggles. Behind the fillies, Flurry Heart’s parents watched proudly at the exchange. Following an invitation from Shining Armour, the ponies took the street leading towards the palace in the centre of the city, joined by a few others. Just like the morning was dedicated to remembrance and sorrow, the rest of the day the ponies would share in togetherness to let go of the loneliness they had all felt before. By the time they reached the palace, a few more Cutie Mark Crusaders had joined Flurry Heart and the twins already. Crystal Note couldn’t help but smile when she heard the soft giggles from the group of foals. Even though the day had started bad, her heart glowed just from the thought that the fillies could already smile again. With a smile to her friends and her sister, she walked into the palace after the foals.