June 2023 Event: Nightmares

Rime’s hooves pounded hard against the crystalline floor of the chamber of the Crystal Heart. The warping shadowed forms of the Umbrum raced ahead of them - so close and yet so far out of reach. Chaos had broken out as others tried to get to the Umbrum before they reached the Crystal Heart.The changeling’s heart raced, his wings buzzing furiously in a futile attempt to gain speed.

 

With a yell, he crashed into one of their forms, the two tumbling and sprawling out over the cold crystal floor as wisps of shadow licked at them. Quickly, Rime went to scramble to his hooves- But he was frozen in place by the twisted and unnatural skeletal smile of the Umbrum he had become entangled with.. Empty sockets with pinpricks of burning light were locked with his. The chaos around them became muted as Rime could only see the two burning embers of hatred and despair..

 

And that sick smile.

 

“What’s the matter, Rime?” It asked, the voice sounded both familiar yet not.. It caused his blood to run cold at the sound of his name. His eyes widened further, ears pinning flat against his skull as he attempted to scoot back, but the front legs of the Umbrum hooked unnaturally around his - holding him with a strength that the frail crystal-ridden pony shouldn’t have. The shadows of its warped appearance lapped at his frame like fire - it burned, but with a cold so intense it seemed to suck any hope out of his very soul.

 

“M-Ms. Honeydew..?” Rime stammered, his voice quiet as he recognized the dappled markings along her coat. The Umbrum’s grin grew even wider as it quirked its head to the side at an odd angle, an echoing chuckle burbling from it like a sick purr.

 

“Is that the name of this one..?” It asked, the question caused Rime’s heart to sink. Ms. Honeydew had been helping fillies and foals with the crystalline sickness for years! He had helped with supplies, even helped cook meals! He-

 

“She’s dead, boy.” The words cut through the changeling like glowing hot steel.

 

“N-no..”

 

“This vessel is mine..~” The grin grew ever wider followed by another purring chuckle. “We’ve won.” They’ve..won? Finally, Rime forced himself to look away from the Umbrum’s eyes to look around the chamber-

 

The crystalline columns that once held the ceiling of the chamber were fractured and broken. Walla crumbled away while the carpet was frayed and frozen. An immense cold washed over him as he saw the spectral forms of countless Umbrum in the shadows - reflected in the infinite fractals of his surroundings.

 

“No..” His voice was a hoarse whisper as he got to his hooves, biting his lip and looking towards the Crystal Heart. Instead there were splinters of crystal and fragments of-

 

His eyes squeezed shut as he let out a shuttered breath, his frame trembling as echoing laughter surrounded him in different tones and pitches. The Crystal Empire was in ruins - inhabited by the very specters that the royal family had imprisoned long ago. He felt a wave of pain wrack his form as he shook his head.

 

“Give up, Rime..~” The twisted voice purred into his ear. “Don’t you want to be with the others?~” The jagged edge of a horn brushed against his throat.

 

His home. His neighbors, the children, everyone - was gone.

 

“No.” Rime’s voice was a growl as his form shuddered once again, gritting his sharpening teeth as the Umbrum purred once again.

“Come now.. Surely you can’t stop all of us..~” He felt the horn scrape at the soft chitin along his neck and he let out a threatening hiss in reply.

 

“I said NO!” He screeched, rearing back as his form darkened and his features became sharper. There was a sickening crack as a crystalline hoof connected with the Umbrum’s face, knocking it away from his as he took a more predatory stance, lips pulled into a sharp-toothed snarl as two icy pinpricks of light met the Umbrum’s burning ones.

 

It didn’t seem hurt by the hit. Instead it looked confused. Why hadn’t he given in to despair? The mare who had looked after him since he was a grub - his home - nothing was left! WHY was he fighting a pointless battle? The Umbrum’s shocked expression switched to one of caution as it rose from the floor, floating to its hooves.

 

“Rime, dear-” Before it could utter another word, the famished Changeling had closed the gap and rammed it to the floor.

“Don’t you DARE speak with her voice!” He spat, “I don’t care if I’m the last one left! I’m going to take as many of you with me as I can manage.” His voice hushed into an angry whisper as his eyes locked with the Umbrum’s as it gave a snarl of its own and the world began to bleed back to reality. Nothing was desolate or decayed - many were fighting, trying to keep the Umbrum from the Crystal Heart and the Princess.

 

The nightmare had failed.