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"writing": "Darkness Descends Into Egypt\n\nAs it was still nighttime in Equestria; Luna, Zecora, Cadance, Daring, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash were still traveling to Egypt, everyone couldn’t sleep, and they were too excited about going to Egypt without yet thinking of getting a wink of sleep. Since they took two chariots to fits everyone for this night trip, so the chariot that is right now leading contained Luna, Cadance, and Zecora, who were talking about their plans, when they arrived to Egypt and of other things.\n\n\t“I have only heard about Egypt through stories when I was just a filly, while Celestia and my parents were meeting with ambassadors from different countries and lands. From the stories I have heard Egypt has been ruled by cats, which are the same size as us ponies and mares. “Said Luna as she kept on looking straight ahead to make sure the guards knew where they were going or if they needed some guidance on how to get to Egypt.\n\n\t“Going to a festival in Egypt sounds exotic, and unbelievable, but then what should one sing to begin the festival? Should I sing about wealth, happiness? Or Darkness, maybe I can even add a story from their history to show that we mean well by coming here to Glorious Egypt?” asked Cadance at first with an I-still-can’t-believe –this-is happening voice and at the end in a questioning, sing-song voice of hers.\n\n\tAs Luna and Cadance finished their part of the conversation, Zecora was just sitting, and was quietly listening to the two princesses, and smile at Cadance, when she ask what she should sing about. Then she said, “We are going to Egypt, my friends, were mystery meets history; were eternality is just a sitting breeze, and where the sun never really sets.” In a quiet, and almost poetic sound of voice, then she smile at those two, as they started another conversation session hoping to kill time with more chatter, and to also rest their nerves a bit since many of them were nervous about what they should expect to happen in Egypt. \n\nBack in Equestria….\n\n“The Great and Powerful Trixie is here to give ‘the’ performance of a lifetime!” said Trixie in the most energetic, charismatic voice that she could muster as she practiced in a mirror in her small caravan, which is also a portable performance stage. As she was so intent and into her practice session, she didn’t even notice, a shadow passing her by till it was too late. Then when she took a break, she turn around, and she saw a dark, shadowy face looking straight at her with a smile, or could it be a smirk…\n\n“Why hello there Trixie, what a surprise and honor to meet the pony who got kicked out of Ponyville by Twilight and her friends” said Chryslis laughing with that girlish laugh of hers as her eyes matched her smirk, and then she waited to see the reaction of Trixie.\n\n“Why thank….Wait a second was that a hit?!” asked Trixie in a shocked, I-can’t-believe-you have –the-nerve-to-do-that tone of voice as she glared at the smiling, teasing face of Chryslis.\n\n“Do you feel your ‘head’ rocking back and forth?” asked Chryslis in a rhetorical tone of voice, knowing full well that Trixie was going to answer the question anyways.\n\n“Yes, it is a bit, unfortunately; and let me guess who you are……moth-bitten style wings, all black fur, if I remember hearing the news correctly, you are Chryslis, The Queen of the Changelings. And I have to say it has been honor to meet the fake Princess Cadance, and somepony else who has been defeated and kick out of Ponyville by the Mane Six” said Trixie as she then started prancing around, while using a sing-song, taunting voice of hers.\n\nThen they both started to stare at one another, both wandering if they should start a fight or not, but before both could decide how to go about this, Chryslis said in a calm voice,” Be that as it may Trixie, you and me, have to stop fighting, because I have come up with a plan, but I may need your full cooperation. From what I have learned the Princesses, The Mane Six, and a guest of theirs are going to Egypt for the Annual Egyptian Festival.” Said Chryslis as she gave Trixie, a look that showed that she was starting to get annoyed by her, but then her expression change to a very calm, almost calculating gaze. Then Chryslis waited for Trixie’s response, before she could talk further about her idea.\n\n“What are you getting at Chryslis? If there is a way to get even with the Mane Six tell me because I really want to get even with them!” said Trixie in a determined voice as she got inside her cart, and then turn around to face Chryslis, waiting to see what Chryslis had to say.\n\n“Well it is good that you are ready to hear my plan. So my plan is this: We go right now, and start traveling to Egypt so then we will be the first ones there, then we will try to get help from hopefully the ruler of Egypt, except here is the catch, when we enter the palace in Cairo, you and I have to take separate paths to get into the service of the ruler before phase two happens.” said Chryslis calmly, as she put on the harness of Trixie’s cart on, and started running as soon as Trixie closed the door of her cart, and made sure everything of hers was securely fasten onto the cart. Then after a few minutes, Chryslis was flying through the clouds, as Trixie did a couple of spells to lighten the weight of her cart to make it easy on Chryslis…\n\nNow on the other side of the world in Egypt, but to be more specifically in a bedroom inside the palace that is located in the center of Cairo, Egypt was Kira, who was looking at the view she had of Cairo from her balcony, and she smiled as she heard the door of her room being opened and shut, then after a few seconds she felt a tail brush her back, and a contented purr coming from behind her, it was Kiya, her older sister.\n\n“Sister shouldn’t you be trying to nap? A group of our main guests are coming tonight around midnight, my sister” said Kiya smiling at Kira as Kira look at her with a soft smile before her eyes went back to watching the stars and the constellations.\n\n“Yes Kiya, I know I should try to get some beauty rest before the first group of our guests from Equestria comes here to Cairo, my sweet sister, but I can’t sleep just yet, and I feel so calm being here just watching the stars.\n\n“Look my sister, don’t you see our history written in every wall here in Egypt, and don’t you smell the sweet breezes that come at night? This is what we made, this Glorious time will be ours, and ours alone” sang Kiya in a refined, soprano voice as she look at Kira, then like Kira she look at the stars, and with her right paw as she was singing, she move it slowly, but surely as if she were showing Kira the city for the first time from the view of the balcony. \n\n“I see it, my sister, I sense it, sister. The stars will rain down a upon us granting our every wish, when every pony and cat see us, they will be in awe, ‘cause they know we are the ones who will make it happen” sang Kira in an equally refine, beautiful voice as she did saw a couple of shooting stars crossing the sky.\n\n“Senet, Don’t you see we were meant to be so much more than the common folk, we were born in a position of power, so we should take it, seize it, taste it, sense it with all of our being!” sang Kiya at first soft, and almost thoughtful, then at the end her voice ended with a powerful tone of voice.\n\n“Power is tempting, Power is everywhere, we will sense it, we will take it, we will make it our own, we will soar because of it” said Kira in her refined, soprano voice, now changing the singing note she was using, so her part can intertwine with the powerful tones of Kiya’s voice.\n\n“ We will show our power in more ways than one, the stars will rain down a upon us, the moon will light our path, light and darkness are now intertwine forever, and ever, we will remain the family, that holds Egypt together. Once and for all!” sang Kiya with a very powerful, almost angelic voice at the end as she look at Kira and put one of her front paws on her back in a hugging gesture.\n\n“Our power will be powerful, as long as we are together, we will never be apart, Senet! Once and forever!” sang Kira in a lower, but still as powerful singing tone as her sister’s.\n\nThen at the end of their song, they both sighed as they watch some more of the shooting stars, as Kiya started speaking again, “Now try to get some sleep sister for our guest will be coming soon, and I want you to look your best” said Kiya as she put her tail on the back of Kira as if she were guiding her to her bed.\n\n“You are right sister, I should go to bed like you” said Kira as she slipped inside her bed, and laid her head in a way that her mane wouldn’t get tangle as she did so, she started to feel a bit sleepy.\n\n“Yes, you should sister. Goodnight for now, my sister who I love so much, try to get as much beauty rest as possible” said Kiya in a caring and a bit concern voice as she tucked her sister in, and smile at Kira as she pulled on the lever next to Kira’s bed, which made the black curtains hanging above Kira’s bed fall into place. Then Kiya blew the candles out, and kept the entranceway to the balcony opened to let the fresh air in, and as she was walking out the room, Kira told her goodnight and she also reciprocated her sisterly love to Kiya, which made Kiya smiled and purred contently as she closed the door to Kira’s room.\n\nAs Kira was trying to get some sleep, she heard the water falling from the water fountain, which was situated in the middle of her room, then she felt a slight breeze, which strangely enough felt warm, and cold at the same time, and very comforting indeed as if there was some sort of protective spirit coming through with the breeze, then Kira close her eyes, and fell into a deep slumber…\n\nAs Kira’s eyes open up, she saw that she was not in her bed, but in the front entrance to the throne room, “Okay why am I here, facing the front entrance door to the throne room? Well there is only one way to figure that out, and it isn’t sitting here and waiting to see what happens next!” Thought Kira with a determine outlook on what she was just about to do. Then she opened the door as soon as she stepped into the throne room; it felt like as if she stepped through a veil, as soon as she arrived truly in the throne room, she stopped, and checked herself, when she saw her hooves, they look small petite, then she turn herself around, and gasped, as she saw that she was in her foal form, then she thought, “Okay this is just getting very strange, indeed, why am I in my foalself? Instead of mine mareself? Like Kiya always told me ‘Finish what you started Kira’ and believe me I will finish this dream”\n\nThen as she got closer to the throne, she realized that the room was full of cats and ponies alike, but not those who she have seen dozens of times before, these cats and ponies look like they came from a time long time ago. As she took the last few steps toward the throne, when she got there, she look up to see who was sitting on the throne, it was a cat with fur as dark as midnight, then she ask, “Lucifer?” with a wary, and curious look on her face.\n\nThe cat sitting in the throne, then turn his head towards her from looking at the ceiling as if he was trying to remember something, then he smiled and shook his head lightly, “No pony, my name is not Lucifer, and I am very surprise with a hint of disappointment that you don’t know who I am, pony” said Krios smiling a bit devilishly at her with a raised eyebrow as he waited to see what her response or reaction will be.\n\n“So if you are not Lucifer, then who….No, you can’t be him, Krios of the Koryoshiko Tribe! Oh and another thing my name isn’t pony, Its Kira, Kira Chi!” said Kira at first in awe, but then when she was talking about how pony wasn’t her name, she took a step closer to him as she did so she was then transformed back to her normal self and size, then she look at him with a light smile waiting for his reaction.\n\n“Very good Kira, it seems like your history lessons didn’t fall on deaf ears, and…..How dare you talk to me like that! Never raise your voice to Me!” said Krios first in a calm voice, then the tone of his voice changed into that of anger, but after he talked he gave her what seem to be a smile that said that he was impressed by her.\n\nThen he jumped off the throne as soon as he did so the scene changed back to her bedroom. “So tell me why you are here in my dream?” asked Kira as she jumped on her bed, and lay down a bit waiting for his answer, and observing him very closely still a bit wary of him.\n\n“Oh you wound me so Kira, I am just curious to see how things are in Egypt, I have been dead for many, many years. “ said Krios at first with a refine, and yet beautiful, but sad voice, which he used as an act then he change his tone of voice to gentle, but calm tone of voice.\n\nThen Kira listen to him, and she just sighed as she felt some sympathy toward him, so then she jumped down from her bed, and went to him, and brushes her side to his side as a way of apologizing to him for the way she acted. As she did that, Krios purred contently, knowing that she was trying to apologize to him, and he accepted her apology.\n\n“So let me guess this is your bedroom? This is your dream, so it changes as you will it to, although I can influence dreams, that is just one of things I can do” said Krios as he kind of laugh at the end as he sat on the floor, and summon a carpet under him before he lay down by the fountain.\n\n“Yes this is my bedroom, and you can influence dreams? I will not question it, but I have to admit that is cool! So I have a question, do you know anything about a mythical emerald, ever since I was a foal, I have heard of the story of the mythical emerald, and since you are Krios the leader of the Koryoshiko tribe, so naturally, of course, you will know about it, am I right?” asked Kira with a curious tone of voice as she look at him, laying on a carpet on the ground, licking his right paw as if he was cleaning it.\n\n“In a way what you say is very true, I do know about this emerald, and again I have to applaud you for knowing your history and facts. Have you ever have the urge for power?” sang Krios a bit at the end with a deep, but refine voice as he got up, and went to a sitting position, and waited for Kira’s reply or reaction to question.\n\n“Yes, I have the urge for unimaginable power, my soul thirst for it to be release onto me. Have you ever have the feeling that there was something missing, a part of you no one will ever see, waiting to be release?” sang Kira to Krios as a response to his question as she got up, and walk toward him, then she closed her eyes for a few seconds as if she was thinking of something.\n\n“Aah that’s the way the emerald works, it surges through your soul making you thirst for something more, it is the darkness calling to the light to set it free!” sung Krios as he went closer to Kira, and saw that her eyes were close as if she could see the power that is surging to be free from within her. \n\n“The Light is always the one that beckons the darkness to seep itself into the soul, is this the emerald’s doing? Is it corruption of the soul or is it something more, something which can’t be explain with simple words?” sang Kira with power at the beginning to a more soothing, almost sad tone in her soprano voice.\n\n“Light and Dark have always fought, Kira, this is something you must learn. With weakness comes death and sadness, with strength there is life, and triumph. Give in to the Darkness for only then can you truly be free.” sang Krios softly as his tail touched her back, in a comforting way as his smile at her softly.\n\n“ In every heart there is darkness, surging to be free from its bounds, tis the emerald’s job to make it so, this is what I have learn” sang Kira as she look at him and keeping eye contact with him. And without her knowing the scene of her dream change from being inside her bedroom to an oasis during the nighttime with thousands of stars shining brightly in the darken sky, and in this oasis in the desert were tents everywhere that the eye could see.\n\n“How did this happen, why are we here in this oasis? I know this place, this is where my tribe used to live in….” thought Krios as he saw where Kira’s dream took them in a way he was in shock since it has been a lifetime since he last saw his home, that he was almost touched. Then when he turn around to look at Kira; Krios looked as if he saw a ghost, the way the moonlight hit Kira, and because of the angle he saw her in, she almost look like….”No! This is not possible, that I finally found a descendant of mine and Hope’s after all these years, this has to be a dream come true. Aye, This is too perfect, and yet it feels as if time has not pass, I have to protect Kira, she is my descendant, and she is part of my family, I feel the familial connection right now as I see her, and yet she reminds me so much of Hope, it has really been a long time” thought Krios as he sighed softly, as Kira was looking at him, with what look like concern in her eyes, and then he smile at her hoping that she will understand that he was just thinking, and not to worry about him.\n\n“Krios where can I find the emerald? The emerald that I have heard in stories during my foal years? I promise my sister Kiya, even though we are not related that I will find the Emerald for her, so any ideas? Asked Kira at first curiously, then while giving him the main reason why she wanted to find the emerald, then she changed her tone of voice a bit to an upbeat sounding voice, when she asked for ideas on how to go about finding the emerald.\n\n“Why are you asking about the emerald so much? Also what do you mean Kiya is not your sister?” asked Krios at first with laughter in his face as he saw how persistent Kira was being wanting so much to find the emerald, then his tone change, and he became more solemn, with a pinch of concern in his voice as he look at her with caring eyes.\n\nThen Kira looks away from him, and slumps to the floor, showing for the first time in a long time sadness, that many thought she had forgotten about, then she looked at him, and smiled a sad smile, before saying,”Kiya is ‘my’ sister because when I was just a babe, almost a foal, my parents, or should I say those who I thought were my real family, they have pass onto the next life. But as soon as they pass Kiya and her parents came, and took me in, and ever since then, I have been with them Krios.” \n\nThen Krios look at her, knowing the feeling of loss since he has felt it so many times during the time when he was alive, especially, during the war times. Then he gave her a smile hoping to cheer her up again, since he in a very strange way couldn’t bear to see Kira suffer, so he went closer to her, and put his tail on her back, and started to brush her back soothingly. “Life is fleeting, Life is short, the cycle goes on forever, but at the end we are all alone. Family, Friendship are bonds that will never fade, memories are meaningless without sentiment. Stronger are these bonds, as you will see, Kira”\n\nThen Kira look at him, with a mixture of curiosity, and sadness, with a hint of wariness, not fully understanding the profound riddle that Krios gave her at the end, even though to her it sounded like he knew more about her than he was letting on. Then she asked him in a sharp tone of voice, “Do you know more about me than you are letting on? Also it is curious that, you ‘the’ Krios who stole the Emerald of Power, haven’t yet ask me to find it for you”\n\n“Very true, I haven’t ask you to find the emerald for me, but you are going to find it for your sister Kiya, so in a way you are going to find it for me, what I am saying is that the ruling family of Egypt are my descendants, but this is very strange that only you possess the power to see me, and without knowingly to summon me at will” said Krios quietly as he use a bit of the emerald power that he still possess, and made two black cobras appear before Kira.\n\n“Snakes? I am not fond of that animal, and less fond of scorpions Krios!”said Kira freaking out a bit, but also trying to control her fear as she let the snakes get around her neck, and touched her cheek, when the snakes were settle onto her neck, neatly, they disappear leaving behind a golden necklace with a black onyx stone that was in the shape of a teardrop.\n\n“Kira, Kira, they were not real cobras as you saw, they were a bit of magic that I did to give you this necklace, but this necklace is not what it seems to be, the stone, the onyx, with your permission, of course, I can be protected, and shelter in it, and also I can be closer to you, and protect you, if you need to be protected or if you want my guidance on something” said Krios in a caring tone of voice, as he smile at her softly waiting for her response.\n\n“ Well the emerald belongs to you and to our family, I guess, so yes enter the onyx Krios” said Kira as she look at the necklace, and saw that even though it look ancient, it still has its fashionable aura in it still. Then Kira smile at Krios finally feeling comfortable being this close to the cat tribe leader. As soon as she gave permission to Krios, he brushed her side with his right side and purred before he jumped into the onyx that is on the necklace he gave to her. Then after a few minutes Kira awoke from her dream….\n\nAnd halfway toward Egypt….\n\n\tAs they were traveling toward Egypt, Chryslis felt relieved when Trixie did some spells to make the cart almost weightless, but as she was flying, she spied some movement north of them, so then Chryslis picked up speed to check what was really going on in front of them. As Chryslis changed speed, Trixie felt literally, the change in speed as she had to hardened her stance as she was walking toward the window, which was on t he front side of her cart, as soon as she reached the window, she yelled, “Why in all of Equestria did you changed the speed which you were traveling in! You almost made me wrinkle and dirty my new cape!”\n\n“Trixie, can you quiet down! It seems like we are not the only ones traveling tonight, and I will love to take a peek on who it is without alerting to them our presence, if you don’t mind!” said Chryslis at first in a hushed tone then she change it to a whisper with a sharp-edged tone at the end to make a point.\n\nThen they kept on heading the same direction for some time, and when they finally reached the area where Chryslis saw some shadows moving in the same direction as them, she saw through some clouds which hid her and Trixie from view, the ‘shadows’ which they were following, and what Chryslis saw made her laugh, such a small, soft laugh of amazement on who the shadows were, she recognized most of them except one, unfortunately. \n\n“Hey! What’s so funny?!” asked Trixie in an excited voice, but also in a tone of let me in on the joke- which I am so not getting right now. As she was finishing up asking her question, she then saw what made Chryslis laugh a bit. She couldn’t believe that two of the Mane six were there, for Trixie, this was too good to be true, but she hoped that Twilight was there too, but that was not so.\n\n“So it seems like you finally picked up on why I was laughing, so should we keep following them like this, or should we have some fun, and try to scare them?” asked Chryslis, with a twisted, evil, girlish smile playing around her mouth.\n\n“Usually I am up to huge, theatrical ideas, but how about this time we lay low, and keep to the clouds. We could scare them by using the clouds as cover.” said Trixie from the window in her cart as they kept on travelling, and using Luna’s chariots as guidance toward their destination, which is also Egypt.\n\n“I guess I have to agree on you on this one, Trixie, okay then how are you on making clouds light for seconds at a time? All I need to do is scared Cadance with shadows of me, since I was the one who ‘replace’ her for a while as the fiancée of Shining Armour.” Said Chryslis as she laugh this very girlish, and evil to the core laugh as she kept flying from one cloud to the next, with Trixie doing simple light spells to show off the shadow of Chryslis….\n\nAs they were flying Daring, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash, was sitting down somewhat in the chariot watching the stars, chattering, and, of course, joking around with each other. When they heard from Luna, and the others that they were halfway there, the chance, and even the thought of taking a nap vanished from their minds, as they now started to wonder what they will really see there in Egypt.\n\n“ So sugarcube, what else was in that old, dusty book that you were looking at while we were still in the Celestia’s Palace in Canterlot?” asked Applejack in a quiet tone of voice as if they were trying to keep their conversation a secret.\n\n“Nothing much that really peaked my interest just a short summary on the history of the Blood Jade Emerald, It seems like that was the artifact that started a month long war in Egypt, and as the book says Krios, the leader of the cat tribe won the war and the emerald. It also seems to be artifacts that can make a pony or cat go hungry for power. It is also describe as the Heart of Darkness, for it is fueled by dark thoughts, but mostly through the dark side of each, and every heart that it has affected.” said Daring in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.\n\n“That is some mighty serious stuff; it seems like Egypt has a darker past then Equestria, Krios seems to make Nightmare Moon aka Evil ‘Luna’ looks like a passing nightmare. So you are going to find the Emerald, or at least try to find it?” asked Dash as she was digging through a bag of hers, and munched on a small cookie, she bought in a bakery in Canterlot before they left for the trip.\n\n“Yes it does Dash, it does look like Egypt has a much darker past than any of us anticipated. So Dashie are you excited to be in Egypt during their annual festival that starts tomorrow?” asked Daring smiling, a very bright, and also excited smile.\n\n“Yes I am Daring, I am also interested on how different, Egypt really is compare to Equestria, as you said before Daring, supposedly there are cats, who are the same size as us, ponies. What about you Applejack, what do you think about this whole trip?” asked Rainbow Dash, as she looked at Daring, than at Rainbow Dash, and waited for her response to her question as she then started to watch the stars as they travel.\n\nBut before Applejack could answer the question that Dash posed at her, she shook her head, as if she was trying to clear her thoughts, and to make herself think she was just seeing things, then she said in very hushed tones, “Guys, is it me, or are you seeing shadows in the clouds, I don’t want to be the one that says that Chryslis is following us”\n\n“Chryslis…..is following us? Now Applejack are you trying to scare us?”asked Dash chuckling nervously as she looked at Applejack with a ‘are you pulling our leg’ expression on her face.\n\nThen as soon as she said that, Dash and Daring, at first thought they saw lightning, but then they both thought, that can’t be possible, since Celestia and Luna said this was the perfect night to travel to Egypt, then they both saw shadows of what look like a cart maybe, and the most perfect looking shadow replica of Chryslis, then they saw that it was because of those shadows that Applejack said that she ‘saw’ Chryslis. Then they called out to Luna, Cadance, and Zecora about the shadows, and the light flashing, and the three of them nodded their heads that they too saw those enigmatic shadows.\n\nAs Luna saw the flash of light and ‘shadow’ again, she ordered her royal guards to keep on flying, and no readjusting needed. Then Luna used some of her unicorn magic as a warning not to follow them, and hopefully Luna hoped that whoever is down there trying to scare her friends will understand her message, and will try to use another part of the sky to travel to their destination. After a few more minutes the light flashing, and the ‘shadow’ disappear, and then Luna sighed in relieve as she started up the conversation she was having with Cadance and Zecora…..\n\nAfter Luna use her magic, Trixie and Chryslis, stopped trying to scare them, and so like Luna and company, they kept on traveling toward Egypt, after what seem like hours has pass, they all reached Egypt with being just afew minutes apart from each other…...\n\nAs Luna, Cadance, Zecora, Daring, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash saw the lights of Cairo, Egypt; they started smiling and laughing knowing they made it safely to Egypt, and what they saw amaze them. From their view, which was in other words, a bird’s eye view of the place, they saw buildings new and old mix together; they saw roads that created the city’s labyrinth of streets, and such. They also saw the Citadel of Cairo, with its beautiful architectural design. And as they got closer to Cairo, and descending a bit, they saw that North of Cairo the waters of the Nile River were reflecting the lights from the lamps that lit up Cairo, which was almost an un-worldly sight that has ever been seen by the visitors of Egypt. As they were doing the final descent toward the center of the plaza close to the palace, they saw some ponies and cats walking together towards taverns, cafes, and even shops which were still open. Then they landed in the center of the plaza; both chariots did at the exact same time.\n\nWhen they landed, they saw many ponies gathering around them, bowing their heads out of respect, and then they saw cats coming then with the ponies, but unlike the ponies, they got up on their two paws, and the males gave graceful bows, and the females curtsey toward Luna and Cadance, and others, then as they were all smiling, and waving at the cats and the ponies, who came to greet them. After a few minutes the northern part of the circle open up, and what fill up that northern part of the crowd were two rows of ponies and cat guards, on the right and left side. And just this slight movement caused such a silence in the air, the type of silence that could be cut with a knife, and such a silence that is only reserved for these types of moments. At first there was no one coming through these rows of guards, but after a few more seconds, the first figure that Luna and friends could see was a slender cat as tall as Celestia, if this female cat stood up on her hind legs, but while she was on her four paws, she was the same height as Daring, Rainbow, and Applejack. This female cat was Kiya, with her glossy, silvery white fur, with a concentrated black line of fur from the back of her neck, across her back to the tip of her tail, and the way her body move as she walks, one knew that she was of regal birth. Then the next figure to come down was Kira, wearing a circlet with a gold figurine of a cobra, melded into the golden circlet. Kira was also wearing the necklace, which ‘hosted’ Krios inside the black onyx (which even as she walked, she was still in shocked that the necklace materialized onto her in her dream, and then she finds out that it shows how reality and the supernatural world, really do have a blurry line of co-existence.)\n\n“Welcome Princess Luna and Cadance to Egypt, and I also welcome the famous explorer of Equestria, Daring Do to Egypt, and lastly, but not least, I welcome the friends of Miss Do, Rainbow Dash and Applejack. And also I have the great honor to welcome Zecora, the healer and mystic of Equestria. May Ra, the Sun God, watch over you my friends while you stay in Egypt.” said Kiya in a loud, but soft tone voice, so then everyone from the crowd could hear her, even though she was welcoming the guests, she was also ‘introducing’ them to those in the crowd. \n\n“Many of you here tonight in this crowd are the lucky ones to see our guest arrive, and their arrival couldn’t have come during a more greater time, than our Annual Festival, but as you all know this festival will last the entire month, so many of you will have the chance to talk to our guests, and don’t forget Princess Luna’s sister Celestia will be coming with more guests to meet and, of course, greet! So how about we let Princess Luna, and her friends have some time to themselves so they can settle in and rest, okay?” asked Queen Kiya with a purr in her short speech, which was well received by the crowd that gather to see the first arrivals, and little by little the crowd disappear leaving the arrivals with Kiya, Kira, and the guard.\n\n“That was quite a surprise welcome, Kiya, we expected that on the time we arrive here everyone else will be asleep” said Luna, with a smile as she was still in a bit of shock of how they were welcome to Egypt, not expecting something like that would happen.\n\n“Well as you may have guess Luna, there have been rumor and speculation, when your group will arrive here, so naturally, everyone knew of your arrival time, tis very hard to keep secrets here in Cairo” said Kiya with a good-natured laugh at the end.\n\n“ Thank you very much Kiya for inviting us to Cairo to be here for the Annual Festival” said Cadance blushing a bit ,but mostly because how happy she was able to spend some time here in Egypt to have fun, even though she won’t have Shining Armor there with her.\n\n“You are welcome Cadance; it is an honor and a privilege to host such wonderful company such as yourselves in my palace. And now let me introduce to you, my sister Kira, Crown Princess and heir to the Egyptian throne, she is also widely-known in Egypt as an explorer/ treasure hunter” said Kiya full of pride in her voice as she introduce her sister.\n\n“So Kira by any chance does the palace has its own library, I am very interested to research more and understand more of your Egyptian culture, I hope it is not too bold a request?” asked Daring as she watched Luna’s guards unpacking their luggage, waiting to be assigned rooms to put the luggages in.\n\n“No, not really bold, I will say that is a good request, I won’t mind taking you there, and I hoped your friends Applejack and Rainbow Dash will follow us, since I will also be showing you to your room in the palace” said Kira smiling at Daring, then at Applejack and Rainbow Dash.\n\n“It seems that the young ones have already decided in what they will do for the rest of the time they will be up tonight. So how about I invite you, Princesses, and Zecora to late night snack time, I’ll bet you are hungry from your journey, and of course I will send some food and drinks to the young ones.” Said Kiya smiling as she waited for the response of Luna, Cadance, and Zecora.\n\n“That is a splendid idea, Kiya, I am a little bit hungry after our travels, thank you for offering” said Luna smiling sweetly at Kiya.\n\n“I agree also with Luna, thank you Kiya” said Cadance as she stretched a bit, then she smile at everyone else.\n\n“Well, I am also in the mood for some food, too” said Zecora laughing a bit as Kiya lead the way to one of the dining areas in the lower levels of the palace, then as Kiya pass by Kira, she smiled at her, and Kira smiled back at Kiya.\n\nIn the third level of the palace….\n\n“Applejack, this is your bedroom, my bedroom is on the fourth floor, if you need anything” said Kira smiling at Applejack as she watched Applejack entered the room, and saw that her luggage and things were already sent into this particular room, and then Kira watched Applejack unpack her stuff.\n\n“Well Applejack, this is a pretty darn good-looking room” said Dash to Applejack as she picked out an orange to eat from a fruit bowl, which was already, sent to Applejack’s room before they arrived there.\n\n“Yes this is a nice room, Oh and Daring, soon, I will take you to the library it is in the fourth level as well, I hope you find the information that you are looking for Daring, I know how tough researching can be” said Kira softly as she waited for Rainbow and Daring to follow her.\n\n“Why that is very nice of you Kira” said Daring to Kira, before saying to Applejack, “Well, I am off to the library now Applejack, hope you don’t mind”.\n\n“That’s alright Daring, and Rainbow Dash, you should start going also, I am guessing you are excited to see how your room looks like Dashie” said Applejack with a smile on her first as she bitten into what she thought was a Grade A apple.\n\nThen Daring, Dash, and Kira left Applejack to herself in her room, still unpacking her stuff. As they walk up the stairs to the fourth level where Kira’s room was located in, and where the library was also located. As they walked up the stairs, Kira felt a slight tugged from her necklace as if, or more than likely Krios was reminding her of her mission.\n\n“Here it is Daring, The Palace Library, I hope you enjoy your stay here in this Library, and, of course, in Egypt also” said Kira as she nodded her head toward Daring as if giving her permission to enter the library, and also as a welcome to the library gesture.\n\nThen Daring went in and went straight to the bookshelves, as she did so she turned her head back, and smiled at Kira, before she disappeared into the columns of bookshelves. As she did so, she led Rainbow Dash to her room.\n\n“Rainbow Dash, this is my room, and I was wondering if I could talk to you here in private, hope you don’t mind” said Kira smiling as she enter into her room, and laid on her bed waiting for Rainbow to enter her room.\n\n“Of course, I don’t mind Kira, this is a swingin’ room you have here” said Rainbow as she flew up to the ceiling, then put her arms under her, and was in a laying down position.\n\n“Thanks, so how do you like Egypt, my friend?” asked Kira smiling, and keeping eye contact with Dash.\n\n“I love it, of course Kira, it is very different from E…ques…tria” said Rainbow Dash first with an upbeat tempo of a voice to a thoughtful tone of voice, when she held eye contact with Kira a bit too long, and the way she talk at the very end was strange because it almost looked like she felt tired all of a sudden like she didn’t have the strength to move just yet.\n\n“Good, very good to hear Rainbow Dash. Okay now listen and listen well Rainbow Dash, you will spy on Daring for me, you will report back to me everything that Daring does and say. You will report back to me every night, when we are alone in my room. Also as you spy on her, act normal as you would anyday, okay, my sweet friend?”said Kira as she was using her mind control power with unknowingly a bit of help from Krios, who inside the onyx was smiling evilly.\n\n“I will obey your every command my Princess” said Rainbow Dash now fully under the control of Kira, who liked the feeling of being in power right now as she heard Dash said ‘My Princess’\n\n“When I snap my hoof, you will forget everything I said, but you will do as you were order to do “said Kira as she snapped her hoove, which made Rainbow Dash be her normal self again.\n\n“What….What were we talking about again Kira? I think I spaced out” said Rainbow Dash as she was rubbing her forehead as if she was trying to remember something, but couldn’t.\n\n“Nothing much Rainbow Dash” said Kira as she laughed a bit before continuing, “but maybe you should go to bed right now, I am tired, and I am pretty sure most of your friends, and my family are getting to bed” said Kira softly as she went closer to Rainbow Dash.\n\n“You are right my princess” said Dash quietly with a yawn as Kira lead her out of her room, then Rainbow recounted what she just said, and the look on her face was like oh-my-I-must-be-tired-if –I-started-talking-like-that-oops!\n\nThen Kira just smiled and laughed quietly as she put her right front hoove to her mouth to stifled her laughter a bit before saying, “Yes, maybe we should get to bed, we are both starting to talk silly, well...you are the one mostly talking funny, hehe”\n\n“Thanks for being understanding Kira, I have no idea what came over me to say “My Princess” to you, I hope you don’t mind my mistake” laughed Dash as she walked past Kira to the hallway, which had rails, which meant one could see what happening in any level, especially the ground level, of course. Then Kira smile also to Rainbow, before Rainbow disappear downstairs to go to her room, which was right next to Applejack’s on the third level. As Rainbow went to bed, Kira went to bed also, and they with the rest of their friends and family slept soundly through the night…\n\nThe First Day of the Festival begins…\n\n“Today is the day Spike, can’t you believe it” sang Twilight as she pack a couple more books into her bag.\n\nThen in Rarity’s room, Rarity sang, “Can it be, Can it be the day where fashion soars into different heights? What is the fashion over there? I have to know! Egypt is waiting for its Rarity”\n\nThen as Pinkie was getting out of her room with a bounce, of course, in her step, she sang, “ There will be a party in Cairo like never before, when Pinkie enters the floor, I will be there and everywhere, with me the fun will never, ever stop!”\n\nOutside the castle, but not too far away was Fluttershy in the Royal Gardens talking to the small animals there, “My small friends, there is a place far from here, farther away than I have ever been before from my home, but there is a flutter going on in my stomach, and I truly think it is excitement or maybe nervousness?”\n\nIn Egypt….\n\n“Your Princess is here, let’s get to work, there is so much to do and so-little-time. The festival is almost here! Excitement is everywhere! Let’s get to work!” sang Kira as she got out of the palace, and use this as a calling to her friends since her refine, soprano voice echo throughout the entire plaza area.\n\n“Hizlan! Hizlan! Its time my friends, make ready to fly, get the chariots ready, tis time to work quickly, the festival is a upon us now!” sang Sun Kiss, a golden Pegasus, who was the second command for the cleanup of the plaza, who was helping some of the Pegasus strap on some of the chariots for the cats and the non-flying ponies to use.\n\n“My friends the key to success is teamwork, but it’s our one and only gift, that we all have, it’s Saha’La, Saha’La, time to clean the pillars, and the floors needs maintenance that’s where we come in!” sang Black Magic, a black furred, white mane and tail, male unicorn, who is a close friend Kira, who is the leader of the unicorns clean squad.\n\n“Flying is helpful, magic is plentiful, hard workers are hard to come by, and that is where we come in, we are the ones who care about the intimate details, the ones who truly make the finishing touch count!” sang Rei Sun, a red haired, golden fur, earth pony, who was the leader of the earth ponies in Egypt for the cleaning project.\n\nIn Canterlot…\n\n“ A new culture has open up, and I will learn everything there is to know about that place, isn’t that right Spike?” sang Twilight as she walked downstairs to the first level of Celestia’s castle.\n\n“Maybe I will finally be able to relax, and not be rushed by Twi, to laze around the whole day, eating jewels, will be a dream come true!” sang Spike quietly as he was shaking his head as he was listening to Twilight saying how she was going to study, and learn more stuff, and then he thought, “Does she ever relax and unwind? She is overworking herself, it’s amazing she hasn’t gone crazy yet, or has she?”\n\n“Bye for now my friends, I better get a-going now, see you soon” said Fluttershy in a sing-song voice of hers as she raced off toward the entrance of the Canterlot Palace waiting for her friends to come out as she watched Celestia’s guards getting a couple of the chariots ready.\n\n“ This is it, it’s time to get going, my things are pack and ready to go, Equestrian fashion is coming to Egypt, oh I can’t wait for them to see me shine” sang Rarity as she boarded one of the chariots, which was with Celestia, and Twilight Sparkle, along with Spike.\n\n“This is it, This is it, We are going to Egypt, Finally!” said Pinkie in a sing-song voice as she was bouncing around a bit in the chariot she is going to share with just Fluttershy, who was softly smiling at Pinkie’s silliness. Then they took off to the sky, both chariots, and they were off to Egypt….\n\nIn Egypt….\n\nThere were ponies with sponges strapped on their hooves, while the unicorns use their magic to put on the tiles liquid polish, to make the tiles shine, and gleam, which they haven’t done in such a long time. As soon as the liquid polish was dumped everywhere in the plaza floor, since the whole floor was made out of tiles and mosaics, many of the earth ponies whose hooves were strapped with sponges, order themselves into groups, with some others who have already started on the corners and the outer borders of the plaza. Then many of the ponies in the center, ‘skated’ off onto different directions, some were showing off their skating skills, others were very meticulous on their job on helping waxing the plaza floor, some of the unicorns join also into the skating fun.\n\n“This celebration this year is going to be different, my friends, it will be a never before seen spectacle, am I right friends?” sang Kira as she came down the stairs and watched her friends, and the others working deciding how she should help them out.\n\n“It will be different Kira Chi, you will see, with our help and vision, we will create such a spectacular festival” sang everyone as they smile at her, when she enter the plaza, ‘skating’ to the center of the plaza as she made her graceful entrance to her adoring friends and subjects.\n\n“Here is our Princess who we adore so well, and she is here to help as always, without her the festival wouldn’t be complete!” sang the Pegasus, and the cats, who were flying to the top of the columns and pillars, cleaning the torch area, which were marble bowls, which needed some serious cleaning, so there were also some ponies helping out since the cat, and the ponies every so often had to switch cleaning the torch bowls, since all of them were oh-so full of ash, and dust. Then when one torch bowl was full of dirty water, it was then carry by the ponies or cats on the chariots by buckets, which were then use to dump the water into the sewers. As soon as one of the groups was done with one bowel, they rushed off to the nearest pool, and washed themselves off the dust, ash, and mud. And this process was repeated until or the torch bowls of each pillar and column were clean.\n\nFlying Towards Egypt….\n\n“Mysteries abound, undiscovered treasure, forgotten knowledge is what we will find in Egypt “sang at first Celestia, then Rarity, and finally Twilight; as they were singing their voice intertwine oh-so gracefully, and smoothly. As they were singing their voices express their excitement, but also the individual will and motive of each of the ponies as they look straight ahead, all of them nervous and excited about their sunset arrival to Egypt.\n\nOn the other chariot were Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, talking about what they will be doing as soon as they arrived to Egypt. Well, in reality, it was mostly Pinkie doing the talking as Fluttershy kept mostly quiet, and listen to what Pinkie had to say.\n\n“Bake goods to eat, dancing and partying are my two favorite things to do, and we are going, we are going to a festival!” sang Pinkie Pie while bouncing very lightly on the chariot.\n\n“You sound very excited Pinkie about this trip to Egypt” said Fluttershy smiling as she watched Pinkie kind of hoping around the chariot, because of how excited she is.\n\n“Excited? That’s just only the half of it! There are camels, honey to eat, so much sweets will be eaten during the festival, so much incense, so many different smells to smell, exotic food and drink to satisfy anypony’s appetite or thirst!” said Pinkie Pie in a sing-song voice as she was looking straight ahead starting to see a strange looking top for a building, unaware that it was one of the Pyramids of Giza, she spotted through a patch of clouds…..\n\nSunset Hour in Egypt…\n\nWith the plaza area near the palace, finally finish, and ready for the festival to begin as soon as the full moon will show itself as Bast, the cat goddess way of giving permission to the ponies and cats, who worship her to begin the festival, and the fall of Ra to be complete (The sunset). As everyone else was getting ready for the festival, Kira went back into the palace, and went to her room, where Kiya was waiting for her with a smile on her face. As soon as Kira enter her room, Kiya jump off from Kira’s bed, and half-dragged Kira in a playful matter to the bathroom, which was in an adjoining room with Kira’s, as soon as they enter the bathroom, Kiya helped Kira out of her dirty scandals, and outfit that Kira was wearing when she was helping cleaning the plaza. Then Kiya lightly pushed Kira into the direction of the pool that was in Kira’s bathroom, as soon as Kira enter the pool, a couple of Kiya’s handmaidens went, and poured soap on top of Kira’s mane, and slowly they lather the soap they pour on her all over her body, then they just let her relax, and soak a bit in the water, before they started to pour water on top of her to wash away the bubbles and soap from Kira’s fur and hair.\n\nIn the Third Level of the Palace….\n\n“Wow! This place is amazing, and the fashions of the royals here are too died for!” said Rarity as she was fixing her scandals that she bought in a store in Egypt, which was close by the palace. As she was doing that Applejack came out of her room with braids on her tail like how some of the earth ponies in Cairo were wearing them.\n\n“Why Applejack I didn’t know you were the type to copy fashions, and adapt to one place so quickly “said Rainbow Dash jokingly as she saw Applejack’s tail loose with three skinny braids swinging about.\n\n“Dash, it is good manners to try things which one has been introducing to, and besides many of the earth ponies here wear their tails like this; which I thought was interesting.” Said Applejack as she stretched, and waited for the others to arrive to the hallway before they exited the palace to join the festivities.\n\nBack to Kira’s Room…\n\n“Kiya what was with the ambushing me idea?”asked Kira in a playful tone of voice as she was standing still letting Kiya’s handmaidens dry her.\n\n“Oh come on Kira, don’t be such a spoil-sport about it, and besides you are beautiful again, and that’s what counts, your work with your friends, and subjects in the plaza was so amazing!” said Kiya purring as they walked toward Kira’s closet room, full of clothes.\n\n“Thanks Kiya!” said Kira blushing a bit from the praise she received from her sister, Queen Kiya of Egypt. Then Kira decided to wear Krios gift collar, and a necklace with the a charm that was shaped like an ankh, and a simple white dress with a light robe on top, which was made out of the finest linen, and she chose a pair of scandals, which had a couple of rubies embedded into them.\n\n“Now you are perfect to go to the festival, you truly are the ‘evening star ‘Kira, as I am the morning star” said Kiya smiling and purring at Kira as they exited Kira’s bedroom, and descended to the third level to ‘pick up’ a part of their guests who stayed in the third level of the palace…\n\nIn The Room Of Luna’s…\n\nAs Luna was combing the hair of Cadance, she saw that Cadance look a bit nervous, and then Luna smile at her, before saying,” Cadance, why so nervous? You will be perfect, I am still amaze that Kiya wanted you to start off the festival, as a show of friendship between our two lands. But what really surprise me is that she supplies you with some histories from their library about a war that happen way before Celestia and I were born, which is very interesting,indeed,no?”\n\n“Yes it is, and they want me to sing an Aria, about the death of a tribal leader who was part of their history, the leader of the Shiyakubi Tribe (The pony tribe that was part of the war) Star Heart, Luna have you or your sister ever heard of these histories of Egypt before?” asked Cadance while she waited for Luna to answer her question as she also was looking at her necklaces she brought with her, and those she brought from a close by jewelry shop in Cairo.\n\n“Strangely enough I haven’t Cadance, and neither has Celestia, but what I have heard from word- from- mouth, from some of the ponies and cats of Cairo, here in this city, is that it is a well-known story here, well not just a story, since many seem to think it is a legend of epic proportions, since the story has been first pass down through the oral traditions here in Egypt. But why Kiya wants you to perform a lament to Star Heart, is beyond me? I guess in a way, I am being a bit silly about this, but I always thought one should start a festival with a happy, positive note, not one of dread and sadness, but then again, I guess the Egyptians like to put to rest the ghost of their past” said Luna at first with a how-about-that tone of voice to a tone of interest as she was talking about how she gather the information about that particular part in Egypt’s history to a tone that was a mixture of wariness, and mostly curiosity as she stopped combing Cadence’s mane.\n\nAs they were about to exit, a knock on the door of Cadence’s room sounded, so Cadence decided to answer the door as she gave Luna a nod as if saying to her that she will get the door, but when she open the door she was kind of surprise, when she saw that Kiya came to check on them on the second floor of the palace.\n\n“You look magnificent Cadence, very magnificent indeed, my friend! I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind talking in private with me, just for a few moments, of course, I know that you are probably a bit anxious about your performance, I shall not take long” said Kiya as she bowed her head to Cadence out of politeness.\n\n“Yes, of course Kiya, I’ll be delighted to talk to you, Luna, I hope you don’t mind if I just take a few moments talking to Kiya” said Cadance smiling at Kiya then at Luna, as she put on a necklace that had an emerald dangling from it.\n\n“Of course, Cadance, I should check on Daring, and her friends, but most importantly, I must check for my sister’s, and the other’s arrivals.” Said Luna as she bow her head at Cadance, then at Kiya, as she exited Cadance room, and closed the door giving the privacy Kiya and Cadence wanted…\n\nThe Arrival of Celestia and the others…..\n\n“We are finally here!” said Twilight as she look down to see the Nile River, and the city of Cairo almost right below them, and Rarity was taking everything in, and grinning ear to ear, showing her excitement.\n\n“This is going to be wonderful, we will make it before the festival officially starts, which means I will be able to mingle, and make myself known in Egypt!” said Rarity excitedly as she was already thinking on what outfit to wear for the very first night of the festival.\n\nOn the other chariot, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were talking excitedly also about what they were going to do as soon as they landed. After a while the chariots slowly descended toward the center plaza of Cairo, after what felt like a whole hour pass them by, they finally landed on the plaza, and had officially arrive to Egypt. As they were all getting out of their chariots, Luna saw them as she exited the palace that she galloped toward her sister, happy to see that her sister, Celestia, and the others arrived safely to Egypt.\n\n“You are here sister, I was starting to worry about you, and the others, So how your flight here was? I hope nothing unexpected happen during your trip!” said Luna in a relieved voice as she looked at Luna, and then at their friends to make sure everyone was here, and accounted for.\n\n“The trip went well sister, it was a smooth trip, and the weather was more than perfect to travel in. I see you are already dressed, and ready to go to the festival, I see. You look good sister.” Said Celestia in a calm voice as she was a bit of her magic to put her belonging, and Twilight’s, and the other’s belongings in a cart close by, which had a couple of guards ready to take the luggage inside to the palace, and into the specify rooms, which these guests of the Queen Kiya will be using…\n\nNighttime….The Rising of the Full Moon\n\n(First Night of the Festival)\n\n“Ponies and Cats alike, every year we have waited patiently for this festival to come as it signals the rebirth of life, but also of good luck, and fate. Now I have to say is that we are very lucky to be hosting a group of ponies, and their royalty the Princesses Luna, Celestia, and Cadence from Equestria, a land faraway from our Egypt, so please make them feel welcome here in Egypt!” said Kiya in an excited, but charismatic voice as she finished this part of her speech, there was a spectacle display of applause toward the Princesses, and Twilight, and her friends. Then the applause quiet down, and before Kiya could continue her speech, a group of soldiers march toward the center of the plaza, and toward the dais set up in the center of the plaza, but as soon as these soldiers came closer, they became more recognizable by everyone, except for those who came from Equestria. The soldiers actually wore Roman army attire, which meant Lucifer was close by. As soon as these soldiers stopped their formation near the center dais, they all bowed their heads toward Kiya out of respect, then the cat from the center of the group stood up gracefully on his two hind legs, and did the most elegant bow anypony , any cat saw. Then when his bow was finish, he then started walking towards Kiya as he did so his midnight black fur and colored toga shone under the moonlight, and the torch light.\n\n“Kiya, no it can’t be! It has been five years! You have grown beautifully, and I see the gods have been kind to you” said Lucifer in a refine, but deep singsong voice as his tail and hers twisted together as a way of greeting.\n\n“Five years? It feels like not even a day pass us by mi amor” sang Kiya as she and Lucifer both at the same time got on their hind legs, and then embraced each other as they did that the festival crowd quieted with some ‘aww’s that is so sweet’ remarks passing by here and there.\n\n“You spoke Latin, my dear!” said Lucifer as he started kissing her front right leg from top to bottom, then Kiya told him to stop while blushing a bit as he stopped but still stayed kneeling at her on the white, marble stairs of the dais.\n\nThen he got up and presented her with a small box, and inside the box was a gold necklace with a gold ring hanging from it, and the inscription inside the ring was ‘mi amor gaudiis semper esse Kiya’. Then when Kiya saw it, her eyes brighten, and yet she look shock at what Lucifer gave her, but then she smile, a very sweet smile towards Lucifer.\n\n“What is this Lucifer? It is beautiful, really it is!” said Kiya blushing a bit as she hold still, and let Lucifer put the necklace on her, but it was the ring that really caught her eye as she saw the inscription inside the ring.\n\n“Before the war, we were supposed to get marry, my dear Kiya, but then the war came that took me from you for five years, and now I am back, and still have all my nine lives still intact, so will you marry me Kiya?”asked Lucifer to Kiya, but since everyone by now went quiet, when they heard what Lucifer asked Kiya, everyone was like ‘Aww’, and many of them were containing their excitement as they waited for Kiya’s answer.\n\nAfter a few moments past, Kiya’s smile, if it was possible brightened more, than she said, “Yes, Lucifer I will marry you, I have worry so much since you left me those last five years to fight in that war, I don’t want to lose you, my dear, I love you so much” said Kiya purring oh-so contently.\n\nThen as soon as she said ‘yes’, there was so much cheering coming from the crowds of the festival, then Kiya grabbed a paw of Lucifer’s, and then she smile at him as they once more embrace each other. Then Kiya announced, “ Ponies and cats alike, I present to you, your new Pharaoh, and my loving, and soon-to-be husband, Lucifer, the General and Commander of the Roman Cat Army!”; then another round of applause, and cheering came from Kiya’s subjects.\n\nThen as soon as the crowds of the festival quieted down, Kiya started talking again, “And now I also introduced Cadence, Princess of Equestria, who is going to honor this festival, and us by singing us an aria, about the death of Star Heart, who like the leader of the Koryoshiko tribe, Krios has become legendary to all of us. So now I leave you with the Princess Cadence and her beautiful voice.” Said Kiya as she took Lucifer’s paw, and they went to join up with Kira, who was sitting in front of the dais, in an area that is only specify for royalty, and for their guests, Celestia and her friends.\n\nThen Cadence walked up the stairs of the white marble dais, and move toward the center of the dais, then she looked at the faces of her friends, and then at the rest of the crowd, and she saw faces of excitement, but also the look of those holding onto their seats as they waited for the song to start as many of them were well-versed on the stories of the war between Krios and Star Heart for the all-powerful emerald.\n\nBut before Cadence started singing she remember what Kiya told her when they were left alone, was that Kira like Zecora will be helping out, except Kira’s part won’t be as easy to ‘see’ that’s all Kiya had said, but Kiya also told her that no one should know about Kira’s part since it was going to be a surprise, and will add the mystic of the performance, then after a few moments Cadence started to sing…\n\nThe Death of Star Heart/The Lament of Kolaia\n\nEverything was silent, deadly silent\n\nTwo brave warriors were left standing\n\nEach knew that one must die tonight\n\nKrios, The Dark Warrior growl his challenge\n\nStar, The Fearless One, accepted the Challenge\n\nDeath was waiting at bay, smiling at both of them\n\n\tThen as Cadance was still singing in her soprano voice, as she was doing that Zecora use a bit of her magic, and some special colorful powder, to create a most spectacular, magical visual of the most famous, mythical battle between Krios, and Star Heart that everyone in the crowd gather closer listening carefully to Cadance, but took great care not to miss a moment of the visual, because as Cadence went deeper into the story the visual change to show the next event….\n\n\tKrios, strike first, and his blow landed true\n\n\tThis did not phase Star at all!\n\n\tThen Star tries to tackle Krios \n\n\tHe succeeded for a while\n\n\tNot knowing that Krios devised his ultimate demise\n\n\tKrios then waited for the perfect time, for the perfect kill\n\n\tAs Krios grinned oh so evilly, Star kicked him off him as Krios try to scratch\n\n\tHis soft -furred face.\n\nStar had received many injuries from Krios and still he fought on.\n\nStar fought on and on and on, never stopping, never waiving from the fight!\n\nHe knew only one will stand, and one will fall, the emerald has taken its toll.\n\nHow long this battle lasted, is a question for many, even those who were witnesses\n\nAs they both look at each other, the rest of the world disappear for them\n\nThere was just eternal darkness watching them, waiting for the next one to strike\n\nA powerful blow.\n\nKrios started to limp, when he dealt a mighty blow from Star\n\nStar too, also started slowing down, as he saw Krios struggling to walk\n\nBoth were in so much pain, that the pain felt unbearable to them both\n\nNeither wanted to show weakness, both were strong at heart as warriors should be.\n\nAgain, and again they slashed and clawed each other, neither wanting to stop the fight.\n\nDeath was closing in, Death knew one of them must die, Death waited patiently as he\n\nAlways does!\n\nThe Final round, the Final blow came in the most unexpected way!\n\nKrios then feigned weakness, he started to limp, Hope, his love, gasped in fear.\n\nThen everything and everyone became silent when they saw Krios limp.\n\nMany were in shock, some started to shed tears when Krios limped, once again.\n\nStar was wary, a most wise choice, indeed! And so he tarries, and watched Krios carefully.\n\nThen Krios fell, silence also fell on the field, not a sound was heard as Star charged.\n\nHoping that his final charge will take care of Krios, Star charged with his final strength\n\nThen faster than the eye could see a whip or was it a lasso lashed out at Star\n\nThen Krios pulled with all his might, then Star started to choke.\n\nFor Krios this was music, such sweet music for his ears to hear!\n\nThen as Star got closer to Krios, he felt weaker and weaker as he walks\n\nToward Krios, when he was within reach…….\n\nKrios took the plunge…..\n\nEverything was silent…..\n\nNot a soul made a noise….\n\nAs a death rattle was heard…\n\nStar was gone forever….\n\nHis spirit soared toward Paradise….\n\nHis Family mourned, his kinsmen wallow in their grief, the sadness never-ending\n\nThen a lament was heard throughout the battlefield….\n\nAs Zecora was doing her magic’s with her special colored powder, now with the help of Lone Sword, who was a unicorn, since Zecora wanted the images to be more realistic looking, but also larger, and with the small boost from Sword’s magic was just enough to give a spectacular light show to the large, festive crowd as they were totally silent, but their eyes shone with the excitement, they were keeping bottle up.\n\nWhen the first part of the song was over, a shadow was cast on top of everyone from above, as the ponies, and cats move themselves a bit to clearly see where the shadow was coming from, as they look up at one of the pillars that was lit up by a torch on top, they saw someone shrouded all in black, and the figure had its head down as if in grief, then a stealthy breeze came through the plaza, and the way it let the loose hanging cloth this figure was wearing sway, gave the feeling that this person, or shadow should be at peace, not suffering.\n\nWhat the ponies and cats below including Lone Sword, Zecora, Luna, Celestia, and the Mane six didn’t know was that this figure was actually Kira in disguised, since Kiya planned Kira’s part of this performance, and that was the main reason why she needed to talk to Princess Cadence in private, since it was to tell her not to worry about Kira’s part of the First Festival Night Performance, so Cadence accepted the idea, and went along with it, since it was to be a surprise for the others.\n\nThen as promised by Krios earlier, when he was using a bit of the emerald’s head to communicate to Kira by using his telepathic powers, Krios gave Kira the ability to alter her voice a bit, which she did, and the voice she was using mostly, is what Krios mostly remembers how Kolaia, Star’s wife sounded.\n\nThen as soon as the song ended, Kira moved her neck, and face slowly on purpose for dramatic effect as her face looked toward the full moon, she gave a bone-chilling, cry of sadness, and then she cry out the name of Kolaia’s mate, “Noooo! Star! Star! My Star! Why did you leave me?!”, and then Kira for dramatic effect collapse on top of the pillar as if her body couldn’t hold the grieve, which she was portraying extremely well with that little gift from Krios.\n\nAfter she was done with her part of the performance, Sword and Zecora caught the attention again of the crowd with the magical visuals which they were producing to continue the story, and Cadence continued singing….. \n\nThe Lament of Kolaia\n\nMy Star is gone, oh gods how could you have been so cruel?\n\nThis grieve I feel is like no other, it pulls at the heart of my being\n\nDeath has gained my beloved, a valiant warrior, may the Gods grant him peace.\n\nHis days in this dreary world are over, and mine has begun without him\n\nThere is so much sadness to be express, it will never end, this torment!\n\nMy daughters won’t see their father again, what will I tell them?\n\nHe has been killed by a brute, he died a horrible, but honorable death!\n\nStar, I will always remember you, I will never, never forget you!\n\nI will grieve, our daughters will grieve, and your tribe will grieve for you!\n\nWe will honor your memory, light a candle to guide your soul upwards,\n\nWe will pray that you reach the afterlife peacefully, if Almighty Ra allows it.\n\nThis pain without you is unbearable, how am I supposed to go on?\n\nYou told me to always look for the light and live, and keep on living,\n\nIf something happen to you tonight, I wouldn’t accept it….till now!\n\nMy heart goes with you, I will never love again, this I swear to you!\n\nI promise to protect our daughters, always remind them of you!\n\nWe will meet again, when the time is right, death like life is swift\n\nSo we will meet again, my love, This I promise you!\n\nAs Princess Cadence finally ended her song with her soprano voice, as usual, but at the end she holds the notes of her voice longer for dramatic effect. Then for a few moments everything was silent, and quiet, as it was like that Sword and Zecora finished up their little magic, visual light show. Then slowly, very slowly clapping could be heard throughout the plaza, that after a few moments it reached into a magnificent crescendo, and with that came loud, excited, almost idolizing cheering from the crowd for Princess Cadence, who just stood, and smile, shock at the praises she was receiving from her audience, and also from her friends.\n\nAs the clapping, and cheering went on, Kira got pick up by a Pegasus guard as was plan, and she rode on a chariot as the guard took her back to her balcony to get change in her room, since everyone’s attention was on Princess Cadance, which made their exit easier to do. Then after a few moments, they reached her balcony, then Kira gave her thanks to the guard that picked her up, and then she enters her room.\n\nAs she got out of the black outfit she was wearing, she also told Krios to use a bit of power to fix her voice, which he did easily. Then she changed into a light red dress, and wore a simple headdress with a gold cobra on top of it as decoration, then she put on a pair of scandals, then she was off.\n\nAfter a few minutes…..\n\nAs Kira was walking around her saw Daring, and her friends, so then she went towards them. As she did so the Mane Six said hi to her, and she said hi back with a smile on her face, then she nodded very politely toward Princess Luna and Celestia, to Zecora, and also Lone Sword, her most trusted friend, the Captain of the Guards. Then she went to Daring, and started talking to her.\n\n“Hey Daring, do you want me to give you a quick tour of the nearby bazaars, and stores here?” asked Kira as she waited patiently for Daring’s answer.\n\n“Of course! Kira, thank you so much, so how do you want to do it? Walking or Racing?” asked Daring with a mischievous grin on her face as she waited for Kira’s response.\n\n“Yeah we could race, but fair warning, I am one of the best racers of all Cairo, so are you sure you want to race me?”asked Kira laughing a bit.\n\n“You are on!” said Daring excitedly as she and Kira got ready to race unknowingly to the map store, and then Daring friends watch them race, while they were still visible to them. So Kira and Daring put all of their energy into this race, not knowing yet who was going to win, and arrive first to the map storⱥ眠楨档戠⁹潳敭甠歮潮湷映牯散眠獡搠慲楷杮琠敨潴慷摲琠敨洠灡猠潴敲映物瑳薅ഉ䜍潬獳牡൹\n\n \n\n²\n\n³\n\nÿ\t±\n\nO\n\n#\n\n*\n\nB\n\nlGmHm†m‡m‚nƒn\n\n•õ–ü—Û˜µ™gšÍš=œ\n\n£¼¤½¤T¥U¥z¥{¥|¥}¥˜¥™¥©¥ª¥«¥õ¥ö¥\t¦\n\n§š§›§œ§\n\nÁžÁ³Á´ÁµÁˆÂ‰Â ¡¡ĢÄ\fÅ\n\né2ê!ë|ìcí\n\nï5ðûñWôûõ“÷À÷å÷\n\néVéWéXéöé÷éúéûé\n\nK\n\nL\n\n\\\n\n]\n\n-\n\n-\n\n.\n\n \n\n\tSenet: Ancient Egyptian for Sister\n\n\tHizlan- a Turkish interjection meaning faster/quicker\n\n\tSaha’la- Arabic for magic\n\n",
"writing_bbcode_parsed": "Darkness Descends Into Egypt
As it was still nighttime in Equestria; Luna, Zecora, Cadance, Daring, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash were still traveling to Egypt, everyone couldn’t sleep, and they were too excited about going to Egypt without yet thinking of getting a wink of sleep. Since they took two chariots to fits everyone for this night trip, so the chariot that is right now leading contained Luna, Cadance, and Zecora, who were talking about their plans, when they arrived to Egypt and of other things.
\t“I have only heard about Egypt through stories when I was just a filly, while Celestia and my parents were meeting with ambassadors from different countries and lands. From the stories I have heard Egypt has been ruled by cats, which are the same size as us ponies and mares. “Said Luna as she kept on looking straight ahead to make sure the guards knew where they were going or if they needed some guidance on how to get to Egypt.
\t“Going to a festival in Egypt sounds exotic, and unbelievable, but then what should one sing to begin the festival? Should I sing about wealth, happiness? Or Darkness, maybe I can even add a story from their history to show that we mean well by coming here to Glorious Egypt?” asked Cadance at first with an I-still-can’t-believe –this-is happening voice and at the end in a questioning, sing-song voice of hers.
\tAs Luna and Cadance finished their part of the conversation, Zecora was just sitting, and was quietly listening to the two princesses, and smile at Cadance, when she ask what she should sing about. Then she said, “We are going to Egypt, my friends, were mystery meets history; were eternality is just a sitting breeze, and where the sun never really sets.” In a quiet, and almost poetic sound of voice, then she smile at those two, as they started another conversation session hoping to kill time with more chatter, and to also rest their nerves a bit since many of them were nervous about what they should expect to happen in Egypt.
Back in Equestria….
“The Great and Powerful Trixie is here to give ‘the’ performance of a lifetime!” said Trixie in the most energetic, charismatic voice that she could muster as she practiced in a mirror in her small caravan, which is also a portable performance stage. As she was so intent and into her practice session, she didn’t even notice, a shadow passing her by till it was too late. Then when she took a break, she turn around, and she saw a dark, shadowy face looking straight at her with a smile, or could it be a smirk…
“Why hello there Trixie, what a surprise and honor to meet the pony who got kicked out of Ponyville by Twilight and her friends” said Chryslis laughing with that girlish laugh of hers as her eyes matched her smirk, and then she waited to see the reaction of Trixie.
“Why thank….Wait a second was that a hit?!” asked Trixie in a shocked, I-can’t-believe-you have –the-nerve-to-do-that tone of voice as she glared at the smiling, teasing face of Chryslis.
“Do you feel your ‘head’ rocking back and forth?” asked Chryslis in a rhetorical tone of voice, knowing full well that Trixie was going to answer the question anyways.
“Yes, it is a bit, unfortunately; and let me guess who you are……moth-bitten style wings, all black fur, if I remember hearing the news correctly, you are Chryslis, The Queen of the Changelings. And I have to say it has been honor to meet the fake Princess Cadance, and somepony else who has been defeated and kick out of Ponyville by the Mane Six” said Trixie as she then started prancing around, while using a sing-song, taunting voice of hers.
Then they both started to stare at one another, both wandering if they should start a fight or not, but before both could decide how to go about this, Chryslis said in a calm voice,” Be that as it may Trixie, you and me, have to stop fighting, because I have come up with a plan, but I may need your full cooperation. From what I have learned the Princesses, The Mane Six, and a guest of theirs are going to Egypt for the Annual Egyptian Festival.” Said Chryslis as she gave Trixie, a look that showed that she was starting to get annoyed by her, but then her expression change to a very calm, almost calculating gaze. Then Chryslis waited for Trixie’s response, before she could talk further about her idea.
“What are you getting at Chryslis? If there is a way to get even with the Mane Six tell me because I really want to get even with them!” said Trixie in a determined voice as she got inside her cart, and then turn around to face Chryslis, waiting to see what Chryslis had to say.
“Well it is good that you are ready to hear my plan. So my plan is this: We go right now, and start traveling to Egypt so then we will be the first ones there, then we will try to get help from hopefully the ruler of Egypt, except here is the catch, when we enter the palace in Cairo, you and I have to take separate paths to get into the service of the ruler before phase two happens.” said Chryslis calmly, as she put on the harness of Trixie’s cart on, and started running as soon as Trixie closed the door of her cart, and made sure everything of hers was securely fasten onto the cart. Then after a few minutes, Chryslis was flying through the clouds, as Trixie did a couple of spells to lighten the weight of her cart to make it easy on Chryslis…
Now on the other side of the world in Egypt, but to be more specifically in a bedroom inside the palace that is located in the center of Cairo, Egypt was Kira, who was looking at the view she had of Cairo from her balcony, and she smiled as she heard the door of her room being opened and shut, then after a few seconds she felt a tail brush her back, and a contented purr coming from behind her, it was Kiya, her older sister.
“Sister shouldn’t you be trying to nap? A group of our main guests are coming tonight around midnight, my sister” said Kiya smiling at Kira as Kira look at her with a soft smile before her eyes went back to watching the stars and the constellations.
“Yes Kiya, I know I should try to get some beauty rest before the first group of our guests from Equestria comes here to Cairo, my sweet sister, but I can’t sleep just yet, and I feel so calm being here just watching the stars.
“Look my sister, don’t you see our history written in every wall here in Egypt, and don’t you smell the sweet breezes that come at night? This is what we made, this Glorious time will be ours, and ours alone” sang Kiya in a refined, soprano voice as she look at Kira, then like Kira she look at the stars, and with her right paw as she was singing, she move it slowly, but surely as if she were showing Kira the city for the first time from the view of the balcony.
“I see it, my sister, I sense it, sister. The stars will rain down a upon us granting our every wish, when every pony and cat see us, they will be in awe, ‘cause they know we are the ones who will make it happen” sang Kira in an equally refine, beautiful voice as she did saw a couple of shooting stars crossing the sky.
“Senet, Don’t you see we were meant to be so much more than the common folk, we were born in a position of power, so we should take it, seize it, taste it, sense it with all of our being!” sang Kiya at first soft, and almost thoughtful, then at the end her voice ended with a powerful tone of voice.
“Power is tempting, Power is everywhere, we will sense it, we will take it, we will make it our own, we will soar because of it” said Kira in her refined, soprano voice, now changing the singing note she was using, so her part can intertwine with the powerful tones of Kiya’s voice.
“ We will show our power in more ways than one, the stars will rain down a upon us, the moon will light our path, light and darkness are now intertwine forever, and ever, we will remain the family, that holds Egypt together. Once and for all!” sang Kiya with a very powerful, almost angelic voice at the end as she look at Kira and put one of her front paws on her back in a hugging gesture.
“Our power will be powerful, as long as we are together, we will never be apart, Senet! Once and forever!” sang Kira in a lower, but still as powerful singing tone as her sister’s.
Then at the end of their song, they both sighed as they watch some more of the shooting stars, as Kiya started speaking again, “Now try to get some sleep sister for our guest will be coming soon, and I want you to look your best” said Kiya as she put her tail on the back of Kira as if she were guiding her to her bed.
“You are right sister, I should go to bed like you” said Kira as she slipped inside her bed, and laid her head in a way that her mane wouldn’t get tangle as she did so, she started to feel a bit sleepy.
“Yes, you should sister. Goodnight for now, my sister who I love so much, try to get as much beauty rest as possible” said Kiya in a caring and a bit concern voice as she tucked her sister in, and smile at Kira as she pulled on the lever next to Kira’s bed, which made the black curtains hanging above Kira’s bed fall into place. Then Kiya blew the candles out, and kept the entranceway to the balcony opened to let the fresh air in, and as she was walking out the room, Kira told her goodnight and she also reciprocated her sisterly love to Kiya, which made Kiya smiled and purred contently as she closed the door to Kira’s room.
As Kira was trying to get some sleep, she heard the water falling from the water fountain, which was situated in the middle of her room, then she felt a slight breeze, which strangely enough felt warm, and cold at the same time, and very comforting indeed as if there was some sort of protective spirit coming through with the breeze, then Kira close her eyes, and fell into a deep slumber…
As Kira’s eyes open up, she saw that she was not in her bed, but in the front entrance to the throne room, “Okay why am I here, facing the front entrance door to the throne room? Well there is only one way to figure that out, and it isn’t sitting here and waiting to see what happens next!” Thought Kira with a determine outlook on what she was just about to do. Then she opened the door as soon as she stepped into the throne room; it felt like as if she stepped through a veil, as soon as she arrived truly in the throne room, she stopped, and checked herself, when she saw her hooves, they look small petite, then she turn herself around, and gasped, as she saw that she was in her foal form, then she thought, “Okay this is just getting very strange, indeed, why am I in my foalself? Instead of mine mareself? Like Kiya always told me ‘Finish what you started Kira’ and believe me I will finish this dream”
Then as she got closer to the throne, she realized that the room was full of cats and ponies alike, but not those who she have seen dozens of times before, these cats and ponies look like they came from a time long time ago. As she took the last few steps toward the throne, when she got there, she look up to see who was sitting on the throne, it was a cat with fur as dark as midnight, then she ask, “Lucifer?” with a wary, and curious look on her face.
The cat sitting in the throne, then turn his head towards her from looking at the ceiling as if he was trying to remember something, then he smiled and shook his head lightly, “No pony, my name is not Lucifer, and I am very surprise with a hint of disappointment that you don’t know who I am, pony” said Krios smiling a bit devilishly at her with a raised eyebrow as he waited to see what her response or reaction will be.
“So if you are not Lucifer, then who….No, you can’t be him, Krios of the Koryoshiko Tribe! Oh and another thing my name isn’t pony, Its Kira, Kira Chi!” said Kira at first in awe, but then when she was talking about how pony wasn’t her name, she took a step closer to him as she did so she was then transformed back to her normal self and size, then she look at him with a light smile waiting for his reaction.
“Very good Kira, it seems like your history lessons didn’t fall on deaf ears, and…..How dare you talk to me like that! Never raise your voice to Me!” said Krios first in a calm voice, then the tone of his voice changed into that of anger, but after he talked he gave her what seem to be a smile that said that he was impressed by her.
Then he jumped off the throne as soon as he did so the scene changed back to her bedroom. “So tell me why you are here in my dream?” asked Kira as she jumped on her bed, and lay down a bit waiting for his answer, and observing him very closely still a bit wary of him.
“Oh you wound me so Kira, I am just curious to see how things are in Egypt, I have been dead for many, many years. “ said Krios at first with a refine, and yet beautiful, but sad voice, which he used as an act then he change his tone of voice to gentle, but calm tone of voice.
Then Kira listen to him, and she just sighed as she felt some sympathy toward him, so then she jumped down from her bed, and went to him, and brushes her side to his side as a way of apologizing to him for the way she acted. As she did that, Krios purred contently, knowing that she was trying to apologize to him, and he accepted her apology.
“So let me guess this is your bedroom? This is your dream, so it changes as you will it to, although I can influence dreams, that is just one of things I can do” said Krios as he kind of laugh at the end as he sat on the floor, and summon a carpet under him before he lay down by the fountain.
“Yes this is my bedroom, and you can influence dreams? I will not question it, but I have to admit that is cool! So I have a question, do you know anything about a mythical emerald, ever since I was a foal, I have heard of the story of the mythical emerald, and since you are Krios the leader of the Koryoshiko tribe, so naturally, of course, you will know about it, am I right?” asked Kira with a curious tone of voice as she look at him, laying on a carpet on the ground, licking his right paw as if he was cleaning it.
“In a way what you say is very true, I do know about this emerald, and again I have to applaud you for knowing your history and facts. Have you ever have the urge for power?” sang Krios a bit at the end with a deep, but refine voice as he got up, and went to a sitting position, and waited for Kira’s reply or reaction to question.
“Yes, I have the urge for unimaginable power, my soul thirst for it to be release onto me. Have you ever have the feeling that there was something missing, a part of you no one will ever see, waiting to be release?” sang Kira to Krios as a response to his question as she got up, and walk toward him, then she closed her eyes for a few seconds as if she was thinking of something.
“Aah that’s the way the emerald works, it surges through your soul making you thirst for something more, it is the darkness calling to the light to set it free!” sung Krios as he went closer to Kira, and saw that her eyes were close as if she could see the power that is surging to be free from within her.
“The Light is always the one that beckons the darkness to seep itself into the soul, is this the emerald’s doing? Is it corruption of the soul or is it something more, something which can’t be explain with simple words?” sang Kira with power at the beginning to a more soothing, almost sad tone in her soprano voice.
“Light and Dark have always fought, Kira, this is something you must learn. With weakness comes death and sadness, with strength there is life, and triumph. Give in to the Darkness for only then can you truly be free.” sang Krios softly as his tail touched her back, in a comforting way as his smile at her softly.
“ In every heart there is darkness, surging to be free from its bounds, tis the emerald’s job to make it so, this is what I have learn” sang Kira as she look at him and keeping eye contact with him. And without her knowing the scene of her dream change from being inside her bedroom to an oasis during the nighttime with thousands of stars shining brightly in the darken sky, and in this oasis in the desert were tents everywhere that the eye could see.
“How did this happen, why are we here in this oasis? I know this place, this is where my tribe used to live in….” thought Krios as he saw where Kira’s dream took them in a way he was in shock since it has been a lifetime since he last saw his home, that he was almost touched. Then when he turn around to look at Kira; Krios looked as if he saw a ghost, the way the moonlight hit Kira, and because of the angle he saw her in, she almost look like….”No! This is not possible, that I finally found a descendant of mine and Hope’s after all these years, this has to be a dream come true. Aye, This is too perfect, and yet it feels as if time has not pass, I have to protect Kira, she is my descendant, and she is part of my family, I feel the familial connection right now as I see her, and yet she reminds me so much of Hope, it has really been a long time” thought Krios as he sighed softly, as Kira was looking at him, with what look like concern in her eyes, and then he smile at her hoping that she will understand that he was just thinking, and not to worry about him.
“Krios where can I find the emerald? The emerald that I have heard in stories during my foal years? I promise my sister Kiya, even though we are not related that I will find the Emerald for her, so any ideas? Asked Kira at first curiously, then while giving him the main reason why she wanted to find the emerald, then she changed her tone of voice a bit to an upbeat sounding voice, when she asked for ideas on how to go about finding the emerald.
“Why are you asking about the emerald so much? Also what do you mean Kiya is not your sister?” asked Krios at first with laughter in his face as he saw how persistent Kira was being wanting so much to find the emerald, then his tone change, and he became more solemn, with a pinch of concern in his voice as he look at her with caring eyes.
Then Kira looks away from him, and slumps to the floor, showing for the first time in a long time sadness, that many thought she had forgotten about, then she looked at him, and smiled a sad smile, before saying,”Kiya is ‘my’ sister because when I was just a babe, almost a foal, my parents, or should I say those who I thought were my real family, they have pass onto the next life. But as soon as they pass Kiya and her parents came, and took me in, and ever since then, I have been with them Krios.”
Then Krios look at her, knowing the feeling of loss since he has felt it so many times during the time when he was alive, especially, during the war times. Then he gave her a smile hoping to cheer her up again, since he in a very strange way couldn’t bear to see Kira suffer, so he went closer to her, and put his tail on her back, and started to brush her back soothingly. “Life is fleeting, Life is short, the cycle goes on forever, but at the end we are all alone. Family, Friendship are bonds that will never fade, memories are meaningless without sentiment. Stronger are these bonds, as you will see, Kira”
Then Kira look at him, with a mixture of curiosity, and sadness, with a hint of wariness, not fully understanding the profound riddle that Krios gave her at the end, even though to her it sounded like he knew more about her than he was letting on. Then she asked him in a sharp tone of voice, “Do you know more about me than you are letting on? Also it is curious that, you ‘the’ Krios who stole the Emerald of Power, haven’t yet ask me to find it for you”
“Very true, I haven’t ask you to find the emerald for me, but you are going to find it for your sister Kiya, so in a way you are going to find it for me, what I am saying is that the ruling family of Egypt are my descendants, but this is very strange that only you possess the power to see me, and without knowingly to summon me at will” said Krios quietly as he use a bit of the emerald power that he still possess, and made two black cobras appear before Kira.
“Snakes? I am not fond of that animal, and less fond of scorpions Krios!”said Kira freaking out a bit, but also trying to control her fear as she let the snakes get around her neck, and touched her cheek, when the snakes were settle onto her neck, neatly, they disappear leaving behind a golden necklace with a black onyx stone that was in the shape of a teardrop.
“Kira, Kira, they were not real cobras as you saw, they were a bit of magic that I did to give you this necklace, but this necklace is not what it seems to be, the stone, the onyx, with your permission, of course, I can be protected, and shelter in it, and also I can be closer to you, and protect you, if you need to be protected or if you want my guidance on something” said Krios in a caring tone of voice, as he smile at her softly waiting for her response.
“ Well the emerald belongs to you and to our family, I guess, so yes enter the onyx Krios” said Kira as she look at the necklace, and saw that even though it look ancient, it still has its fashionable aura in it still. Then Kira smile at Krios finally feeling comfortable being this close to the cat tribe leader. As soon as she gave permission to Krios, he brushed her side with his right side and purred before he jumped into the onyx that is on the necklace he gave to her. Then after a few minutes Kira awoke from her dream….
And halfway toward Egypt….
\tAs they were traveling toward Egypt, Chryslis felt relieved when Trixie did some spells to make the cart almost weightless, but as she was flying, she spied some movement north of them, so then Chryslis picked up speed to check what was really going on in front of them. As Chryslis changed speed, Trixie felt literally, the change in speed as she had to hardened her stance as she was walking toward the window, which was on t he front side of her cart, as soon as she reached the window, she yelled, “Why in all of Equestria did you changed the speed which you were traveling in! You almost made me wrinkle and dirty my new cape!”
“Trixie, can you quiet down! It seems like we are not the only ones traveling tonight, and I will love to take a peek on who it is without alerting to them our presence, if you don’t mind!” said Chryslis at first in a hushed tone then she change it to a whisper with a sharp-edged tone at the end to make a point.
Then they kept on heading the same direction for some time, and when they finally reached the area where Chryslis saw some shadows moving in the same direction as them, she saw through some clouds which hid her and Trixie from view, the ‘shadows’ which they were following, and what Chryslis saw made her laugh, such a small, soft laugh of amazement on who the shadows were, she recognized most of them except one, unfortunately.
“Hey! What’s so funny?!” asked Trixie in an excited voice, but also in a tone of let me in on the joke- which I am so not getting right now. As she was finishing up asking her question, she then saw what made Chryslis laugh a bit. She couldn’t believe that two of the Mane six were there, for Trixie, this was too good to be true, but she hoped that Twilight was there too, but that was not so.
“So it seems like you finally picked up on why I was laughing, so should we keep following them like this, or should we have some fun, and try to scare them?” asked Chryslis, with a twisted, evil, girlish smile playing around her mouth.
“Usually I am up to huge, theatrical ideas, but how about this time we lay low, and keep to the clouds. We could scare them by using the clouds as cover.” said Trixie from the window in her cart as they kept on travelling, and using Luna’s chariots as guidance toward their destination, which is also Egypt.
“I guess I have to agree on you on this one, Trixie, okay then how are you on making clouds light for seconds at a time? All I need to do is scared Cadance with shadows of me, since I was the one who ‘replace’ her for a while as the fiancée of Shining Armour.” Said Chryslis as she laugh this very girlish, and evil to the core laugh as she kept flying from one cloud to the next, with Trixie doing simple light spells to show off the shadow of Chryslis….
As they were flying Daring, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash, was sitting down somewhat in the chariot watching the stars, chattering, and, of course, joking around with each other. When they heard from Luna, and the others that they were halfway there, the chance, and even the thought of taking a nap vanished from their minds, as they now started to wonder what they will really see there in Egypt.
“ So sugarcube, what else was in that old, dusty book that you were looking at while we were still in the Celestia’s Palace in Canterlot?” asked Applejack in a quiet tone of voice as if they were trying to keep their conversation a secret.
“Nothing much that really peaked my interest just a short summary on the history of the Blood Jade Emerald, It seems like that was the artifact that started a month long war in Egypt, and as the book says Krios, the leader of the cat tribe won the war and the emerald. It also seems to be artifacts that can make a pony or cat go hungry for power. It is also describe as the Heart of Darkness, for it is fueled by dark thoughts, but mostly through the dark side of each, and every heart that it has affected.” said Daring in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.
“That is some mighty serious stuff; it seems like Egypt has a darker past then Equestria, Krios seems to make Nightmare Moon aka Evil ‘Luna’ looks like a passing nightmare. So you are going to find the Emerald, or at least try to find it?” asked Dash as she was digging through a bag of hers, and munched on a small cookie, she bought in a bakery in Canterlot before they left for the trip.
“Yes it does Dash, it does look like Egypt has a much darker past than any of us anticipated. So Dashie are you excited to be in Egypt during their annual festival that starts tomorrow?” asked Daring smiling, a very bright, and also excited smile.
“Yes I am Daring, I am also interested on how different, Egypt really is compare to Equestria, as you said before Daring, supposedly there are cats, who are the same size as us, ponies. What about you Applejack, what do you think about this whole trip?” asked Rainbow Dash, as she looked at Daring, than at Rainbow Dash, and waited for her response to her question as she then started to watch the stars as they travel.
But before Applejack could answer the question that Dash posed at her, she shook her head, as if she was trying to clear her thoughts, and to make herself think she was just seeing things, then she said in very hushed tones, “Guys, is it me, or are you seeing shadows in the clouds, I don’t want to be the one that says that Chryslis is following us”
“Chryslis…..is following us? Now Applejack are you trying to scare us?”asked Dash chuckling nervously as she looked at Applejack with a ‘are you pulling our leg’ expression on her face.
Then as soon as she said that, Dash and Daring, at first thought they saw lightning, but then they both thought, that can’t be possible, since Celestia and Luna said this was the perfect night to travel to Egypt, then they both saw shadows of what look like a cart maybe, and the most perfect looking shadow replica of Chryslis, then they saw that it was because of those shadows that Applejack said that she ‘saw’ Chryslis. Then they called out to Luna, Cadance, and Zecora about the shadows, and the light flashing, and the three of them nodded their heads that they too saw those enigmatic shadows.
As Luna saw the flash of light and ‘shadow’ again, she ordered her royal guards to keep on flying, and no readjusting needed. Then Luna used some of her unicorn magic as a warning not to follow them, and hopefully Luna hoped that whoever is down there trying to scare her friends will understand her message, and will try to use another part of the sky to travel to their destination. After a few more minutes the light flashing, and the ‘shadow’ disappear, and then Luna sighed in relieve as she started up the conversation she was having with Cadance and Zecora…..
After Luna use her magic, Trixie and Chryslis, stopped trying to scare them, and so like Luna and company, they kept on traveling toward Egypt, after what seem like hours has pass, they all reached Egypt with being just afew minutes apart from each other…...
As Luna, Cadance, Zecora, Daring, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash saw the lights of Cairo, Egypt; they started smiling and laughing knowing they made it safely to Egypt, and what they saw amaze them. From their view, which was in other words, a bird’s eye view of the place, they saw buildings new and old mix together; they saw roads that created the city’s labyrinth of streets, and such. They also saw the Citadel of Cairo, with its beautiful architectural design. And as they got closer to Cairo, and descending a bit, they saw that North of Cairo the waters of the Nile River were reflecting the lights from the lamps that lit up Cairo, which was almost an un-worldly sight that has ever been seen by the visitors of Egypt. As they were doing the final descent toward the center of the plaza close to the palace, they saw some ponies and cats walking together towards taverns, cafes, and even shops which were still open. Then they landed in the center of the plaza; both chariots did at the exact same time.
When they landed, they saw many ponies gathering around them, bowing their heads out of respect, and then they saw cats coming then with the ponies, but unlike the ponies, they got up on their two paws, and the males gave graceful bows, and the females curtsey toward Luna and Cadance, and others, then as they were all smiling, and waving at the cats and the ponies, who came to greet them. After a few minutes the northern part of the circle open up, and what fill up that northern part of the crowd were two rows of ponies and cat guards, on the right and left side. And just this slight movement caused such a silence in the air, the type of silence that could be cut with a knife, and such a silence that is only reserved for these types of moments. At first there was no one coming through these rows of guards, but after a few more seconds, the first figure that Luna and friends could see was a slender cat as tall as Celestia, if this female cat stood up on her hind legs, but while she was on her four paws, she was the same height as Daring, Rainbow, and Applejack. This female cat was Kiya, with her glossy, silvery white fur, with a concentrated black line of fur from the back of her neck, across her back to the tip of her tail, and the way her body move as she walks, one knew that she was of regal birth. Then the next figure to come down was Kira, wearing a circlet with a gold figurine of a cobra, melded into the golden circlet. Kira was also wearing the necklace, which ‘hosted’ Krios inside the black onyx (which even as she walked, she was still in shocked that the necklace materialized onto her in her dream, and then she finds out that it shows how reality and the supernatural world, really do have a blurry line of co-existence.)
“Welcome Princess Luna and Cadance to Egypt, and I also welcome the famous explorer of Equestria, Daring Do to Egypt, and lastly, but not least, I welcome the friends of Miss Do, Rainbow Dash and Applejack. And also I have the great honor to welcome Zecora, the healer and mystic of Equestria. May Ra, the Sun God, watch over you my friends while you stay in Egypt.” said Kiya in a loud, but soft tone voice, so then everyone from the crowd could hear her, even though she was welcoming the guests, she was also ‘introducing’ them to those in the crowd.
“Many of you here tonight in this crowd are the lucky ones to see our guest arrive, and their arrival couldn’t have come during a more greater time, than our Annual Festival, but as you all know this festival will last the entire month, so many of you will have the chance to talk to our guests, and don’t forget Princess Luna’s sister Celestia will be coming with more guests to meet and, of course, greet! So how about we let Princess Luna, and her friends have some time to themselves so they can settle in and rest, okay?” asked Queen Kiya with a purr in her short speech, which was well received by the crowd that gather to see the first arrivals, and little by little the crowd disappear leaving the arrivals with Kiya, Kira, and the guard.
“That was quite a surprise welcome, Kiya, we expected that on the time we arrive here everyone else will be asleep” said Luna, with a smile as she was still in a bit of shock of how they were welcome to Egypt, not expecting something like that would happen.
“Well as you may have guess Luna, there have been rumor and speculation, when your group will arrive here, so naturally, everyone knew of your arrival time, tis very hard to keep secrets here in Cairo” said Kiya with a good-natured laugh at the end.
“ Thank you very much Kiya for inviting us to Cairo to be here for the Annual Festival” said Cadance blushing a bit ,but mostly because how happy she was able to spend some time here in Egypt to have fun, even though she won’t have Shining Armor there with her.
“You are welcome Cadance; it is an honor and a privilege to host such wonderful company such as yourselves in my palace. And now let me introduce to you, my sister Kira, Crown Princess and heir to the Egyptian throne, she is also widely-known in Egypt as an explorer/ treasure hunter” said Kiya full of pride in her voice as she introduce her sister.
“So Kira by any chance does the palace has its own library, I am very interested to research more and understand more of your Egyptian culture, I hope it is not too bold a request?” asked Daring as she watched Luna’s guards unpacking their luggage, waiting to be assigned rooms to put the luggages in.
“No, not really bold, I will say that is a good request, I won’t mind taking you there, and I hoped your friends Applejack and Rainbow Dash will follow us, since I will also be showing you to your room in the palace” said Kira smiling at Daring, then at Applejack and Rainbow Dash.
“It seems that the young ones have already decided in what they will do for the rest of the time they will be up tonight. So how about I invite you, Princesses, and Zecora to late night snack time, I’ll bet you are hungry from your journey, and of course I will send some food and drinks to the young ones.” Said Kiya smiling as she waited for the response of Luna, Cadance, and Zecora.
“That is a splendid idea, Kiya, I am a little bit hungry after our travels, thank you for offering” said Luna smiling sweetly at Kiya.
“I agree also with Luna, thank you Kiya” said Cadance as she stretched a bit, then she smile at everyone else.
“Well, I am also in the mood for some food, too” said Zecora laughing a bit as Kiya lead the way to one of the dining areas in the lower levels of the palace, then as Kiya pass by Kira, she smiled at her, and Kira smiled back at Kiya.
In the third level of the palace….
“Applejack, this is your bedroom, my bedroom is on the fourth floor, if you need anything” said Kira smiling at Applejack as she watched Applejack entered the room, and saw that her luggage and things were already sent into this particular room, and then Kira watched Applejack unpack her stuff.
“Well Applejack, this is a pretty darn good-looking room” said Dash to Applejack as she picked out an orange to eat from a fruit bowl, which was already, sent to Applejack’s room before they arrived there.
“Yes this is a nice room, Oh and Daring, soon, I will take you to the library it is in the fourth level as well, I hope you find the information that you are looking for Daring, I know how tough researching can be” said Kira softly as she waited for Rainbow and Daring to follow her.
“Why that is very nice of you Kira” said Daring to Kira, before saying to Applejack, “Well, I am off to the library now Applejack, hope you don’t mind”.
“That’s alright Daring, and Rainbow Dash, you should start going also, I am guessing you are excited to see how your room looks like Dashie” said Applejack with a smile on her first as she bitten into what she thought was a Grade A apple.
Then Daring, Dash, and Kira left Applejack to herself in her room, still unpacking her stuff. As they walk up the stairs to the fourth level where Kira’s room was located in, and where the library was also located. As they walked up the stairs, Kira felt a slight tugged from her necklace as if, or more than likely Krios was reminding her of her mission.
“Here it is Daring, The Palace Library, I hope you enjoy your stay here in this Library, and, of course, in Egypt also” said Kira as she nodded her head toward Daring as if giving her permission to enter the library, and also as a welcome to the library gesture.
Then Daring went in and went straight to the bookshelves, as she did so she turned her head back, and smiled at Kira, before she disappeared into the columns of bookshelves. As she did so, she led Rainbow Dash to her room.
“Rainbow Dash, this is my room, and I was wondering if I could talk to you here in private, hope you don’t mind” said Kira smiling as she enter into her room, and laid on her bed waiting for Rainbow to enter her room.
“Of course, I don’t mind Kira, this is a swingin’ room you have here” said Rainbow as she flew up to the ceiling, then put her arms under her, and was in a laying down position.
“Thanks, so how do you like Egypt, my friend?” asked Kira smiling, and keeping eye contact with Dash.
“I love it, of course Kira, it is very different from E…ques…tria” said Rainbow Dash first with an upbeat tempo of a voice to a thoughtful tone of voice, when she held eye contact with Kira a bit too long, and the way she talk at the very end was strange because it almost looked like she felt tired all of a sudden like she didn’t have the strength to move just yet.
“Good, very good to hear Rainbow Dash. Okay now listen and listen well Rainbow Dash, you will spy on Daring for me, you will report back to me everything that Daring does and say. You will report back to me every night, when we are alone in my room. Also as you spy on her, act normal as you would anyday, okay, my sweet friend?”said Kira as she was using her mind control power with unknowingly a bit of help from Krios, who inside the onyx was smiling evilly.
“I will obey your every command my Princess” said Rainbow Dash now fully under the control of Kira, who liked the feeling of being in power right now as she heard Dash said ‘My Princess’
“When I snap my hoof, you will forget everything I said, but you will do as you were order to do “said Kira as she snapped her hoove, which made Rainbow Dash be her normal self again.
“What….What were we talking about again Kira? I think I spaced out” said Rainbow Dash as she was rubbing her forehead as if she was trying to remember something, but couldn’t.
“Nothing much Rainbow Dash” said Kira as she laughed a bit before continuing, “but maybe you should go to bed right now, I am tired, and I am pretty sure most of your friends, and my family are getting to bed” said Kira softly as she went closer to Rainbow Dash.
“You are right my princess” said Dash quietly with a yawn as Kira lead her out of her room, then Rainbow recounted what she just said, and the look on her face was like oh-my-I-must-be-tired-if –I-started-talking-like-that-oops!
Then Kira just smiled and laughed quietly as she put her right front hoove to her mouth to stifled her laughter a bit before saying, “Yes, maybe we should get to bed, we are both starting to talk silly, well...you are the one mostly talking funny, hehe”
“Thanks for being understanding Kira, I have no idea what came over me to say “My Princess” to you, I hope you don’t mind my mistake” laughed Dash as she walked past Kira to the hallway, which had rails, which meant one could see what happening in any level, especially the ground level, of course. Then Kira smile also to Rainbow, before Rainbow disappear downstairs to go to her room, which was right next to Applejack’s on the third level. As Rainbow went to bed, Kira went to bed also, and they with the rest of their friends and family slept soundly through the night…
The First Day of the Festival begins…
“Today is the day Spike, can’t you believe it” sang Twilight as she pack a couple more books into her bag.
Then in Rarity’s room, Rarity sang, “Can it be, Can it be the day where fashion soars into different heights? What is the fashion over there? I have to know! Egypt is waiting for its Rarity”
Then as Pinkie was getting out of her room with a bounce, of course, in her step, she sang, “ There will be a party in Cairo like never before, when Pinkie enters the floor, I will be there and everywhere, with me the fun will never, ever stop!”
Outside the castle, but not too far away was Fluttershy in the Royal Gardens talking to the small animals there, “My small friends, there is a place far from here, farther away than I have ever been before from my home, but there is a flutter going on in my stomach, and I truly think it is excitement or maybe nervousness?”
In Egypt….
“Your Princess is here, let’s get to work, there is so much to do and so-little-time. The festival is almost here! Excitement is everywhere! Let’s get to work!” sang Kira as she got out of the palace, and use this as a calling to her friends since her refine, soprano voice echo throughout the entire plaza area.
“Hizlan! Hizlan! Its time my friends, make ready to fly, get the chariots ready, tis time to work quickly, the festival is a upon us now!” sang Sun Kiss, a golden Pegasus, who was the second command for the cleanup of the plaza, who was helping some of the Pegasus strap on some of the chariots for the cats and the non-flying ponies to use.
“My friends the key to success is teamwork, but it’s our one and only gift, that we all have, it’s Saha’La, Saha’La, time to clean the pillars, and the floors needs maintenance that’s where we come in!” sang Black Magic, a black furred, white mane and tail, male unicorn, who is a close friend Kira, who is the leader of the unicorns clean squad.
“Flying is helpful, magic is plentiful, hard workers are hard to come by, and that is where we come in, we are the ones who care about the intimate details, the ones who truly make the finishing touch count!” sang Rei Sun, a red haired, golden fur, earth pony, who was the leader of the earth ponies in Egypt for the cleaning project.
In Canterlot…
“ A new culture has open up, and I will learn everything there is to know about that place, isn’t that right Spike?” sang Twilight as she walked downstairs to the first level of Celestia’s castle.
“Maybe I will finally be able to relax, and not be rushed by Twi, to laze around the whole day, eating jewels, will be a dream come true!” sang Spike quietly as he was shaking his head as he was listening to Twilight saying how she was going to study, and learn more stuff, and then he thought, “Does she ever relax and unwind? She is overworking herself, it’s amazing she hasn’t gone crazy yet, or has she?”
“Bye for now my friends, I better get a-going now, see you soon” said Fluttershy in a sing-song voice of hers as she raced off toward the entrance of the Canterlot Palace waiting for her friends to come out as she watched Celestia’s guards getting a couple of the chariots ready.
“ This is it, it’s time to get going, my things are pack and ready to go, Equestrian fashion is coming to Egypt, oh I can’t wait for them to see me shine” sang Rarity as she boarded one of the chariots, which was with Celestia, and Twilight Sparkle, along with Spike.
“This is it, This is it, We are going to Egypt, Finally!” said Pinkie in a sing-song voice as she was bouncing around a bit in the chariot she is going to share with just Fluttershy, who was softly smiling at Pinkie’s silliness. Then they took off to the sky, both chariots, and they were off to Egypt….
In Egypt….
There were ponies with sponges strapped on their hooves, while the unicorns use their magic to put on the tiles liquid polish, to make the tiles shine, and gleam, which they haven’t done in such a long time. As soon as the liquid polish was dumped everywhere in the plaza floor, since the whole floor was made out of tiles and mosaics, many of the earth ponies whose hooves were strapped with sponges, order themselves into groups, with some others who have already started on the corners and the outer borders of the plaza. Then many of the ponies in the center, ‘skated’ off onto different directions, some were showing off their skating skills, others were very meticulous on their job on helping waxing the plaza floor, some of the unicorns join also into the skating fun.
“This celebration this year is going to be different, my friends, it will be a never before seen spectacle, am I right friends?” sang Kira as she came down the stairs and watched her friends, and the others working deciding how she should help them out.
“It will be different Kira Chi, you will see, with our help and vision, we will create such a spectacular festival” sang everyone as they smile at her, when she enter the plaza, ‘skating’ to the center of the plaza as she made her graceful entrance to her adoring friends and subjects.
“Here is our Princess who we adore so well, and she is here to help as always, without her the festival wouldn’t be complete!” sang the Pegasus, and the cats, who were flying to the top of the columns and pillars, cleaning the torch area, which were marble bowls, which needed some serious cleaning, so there were also some ponies helping out since the cat, and the ponies every so often had to switch cleaning the torch bowls, since all of them were oh-so full of ash, and dust. Then when one torch bowl was full of dirty water, it was then carry by the ponies or cats on the chariots by buckets, which were then use to dump the water into the sewers. As soon as one of the groups was done with one bowel, they rushed off to the nearest pool, and washed themselves off the dust, ash, and mud. And this process was repeated until or the torch bowls of each pillar and column were clean.
Flying Towards Egypt….
“Mysteries abound, undiscovered treasure, forgotten knowledge is what we will find in Egypt “sang at first Celestia, then Rarity, and finally Twilight; as they were singing their voice intertwine oh-so gracefully, and smoothly. As they were singing their voices express their excitement, but also the individual will and motive of each of the ponies as they look straight ahead, all of them nervous and excited about their sunset arrival to Egypt.
On the other chariot were Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, talking about what they will be doing as soon as they arrived to Egypt. Well, in reality, it was mostly Pinkie doing the talking as Fluttershy kept mostly quiet, and listen to what Pinkie had to say.
“Bake goods to eat, dancing and partying are my two favorite things to do, and we are going, we are going to a festival!” sang Pinkie Pie while bouncing very lightly on the chariot.
“You sound very excited Pinkie about this trip to Egypt” said Fluttershy smiling as she watched Pinkie kind of hoping around the chariot, because of how excited she is.
“Excited? That’s just only the half of it! There are camels, honey to eat, so much sweets will be eaten during the festival, so much incense, so many different smells to smell, exotic food and drink to satisfy anypony’s appetite or thirst!” said Pinkie Pie in a sing-song voice as she was looking straight ahead starting to see a strange looking top for a building, unaware that it was one of the Pyramids of Giza, she spotted through a patch of clouds…..
Sunset Hour in Egypt…
With the plaza area near the palace, finally finish, and ready for the festival to begin as soon as the full moon will show itself as Bast, the cat goddess way of giving permission to the ponies and cats, who worship her to begin the festival, and the fall of Ra to be complete (The sunset). As everyone else was getting ready for the festival, Kira went back into the palace, and went to her room, where Kiya was waiting for her with a smile on her face. As soon as Kira enter her room, Kiya jump off from Kira’s bed, and half-dragged Kira in a playful matter to the bathroom, which was in an adjoining room with Kira’s, as soon as they enter the bathroom, Kiya helped Kira out of her dirty scandals, and outfit that Kira was wearing when she was helping cleaning the plaza. Then Kiya lightly pushed Kira into the direction of the pool that was in Kira’s bathroom, as soon as Kira enter the pool, a couple of Kiya’s handmaidens went, and poured soap on top of Kira’s mane, and slowly they lather the soap they pour on her all over her body, then they just let her relax, and soak a bit in the water, before they started to pour water on top of her to wash away the bubbles and soap from Kira’s fur and hair.
In the Third Level of the Palace….
“Wow! This place is amazing, and the fashions of the royals here are too died for!” said Rarity as she was fixing her scandals that she bought in a store in Egypt, which was close by the palace. As she was doing that Applejack came out of her room with braids on her tail like how some of the earth ponies in Cairo were wearing them.
“Why Applejack I didn’t know you were the type to copy fashions, and adapt to one place so quickly “said Rainbow Dash jokingly as she saw Applejack’s tail loose with three skinny braids swinging about.
“Dash, it is good manners to try things which one has been introducing to, and besides many of the earth ponies here wear their tails like this; which I thought was interesting.” Said Applejack as she stretched, and waited for the others to arrive to the hallway before they exited the palace to join the festivities.
Back to Kira’s Room…
“Kiya what was with the ambushing me idea?”asked Kira in a playful tone of voice as she was standing still letting Kiya’s handmaidens dry her.
“Oh come on Kira, don’t be such a spoil-sport about it, and besides you are beautiful again, and that’s what counts, your work with your friends, and subjects in the plaza was so amazing!” said Kiya purring as they walked toward Kira’s closet room, full of clothes.
“Thanks Kiya!” said Kira blushing a bit from the praise she received from her sister, Queen Kiya of Egypt. Then Kira decided to wear Krios gift collar, and a necklace with the a charm that was shaped like an ankh, and a simple white dress with a light robe on top, which was made out of the finest linen, and she chose a pair of scandals, which had a couple of rubies embedded into them.
“Now you are perfect to go to the festival, you truly are the ‘evening star ‘Kira, as I am the morning star” said Kiya smiling and purring at Kira as they exited Kira’s bedroom, and descended to the third level to ‘pick up’ a part of their guests who stayed in the third level of the palace…
In The Room Of Luna’s…
As Luna was combing the hair of Cadance, she saw that Cadance look a bit nervous, and then Luna smile at her, before saying,” Cadance, why so nervous? You will be perfect, I am still amaze that Kiya wanted you to start off the festival, as a show of friendship between our two lands. But what really surprise me is that she supplies you with some histories from their library about a war that happen way before Celestia and I were born, which is very interesting,indeed,no?”
“Yes it is, and they want me to sing an Aria, about the death of a tribal leader who was part of their history, the leader of the Shiyakubi Tribe (The pony tribe that was part of the war) Star Heart, Luna have you or your sister ever heard of these histories of Egypt before?” asked Cadance while she waited for Luna to answer her question as she also was looking at her necklaces she brought with her, and those she brought from a close by jewelry shop in Cairo.
“Strangely enough I haven’t Cadance, and neither has Celestia, but what I have heard from word- from- mouth, from some of the ponies and cats of Cairo, here in this city, is that it is a well-known story here, well not just a story, since many seem to think it is a legend of epic proportions, since the story has been first pass down through the oral traditions here in Egypt. But why Kiya wants you to perform a lament to Star Heart, is beyond me? I guess in a way, I am being a bit silly about this, but I always thought one should start a festival with a happy, positive note, not one of dread and sadness, but then again, I guess the Egyptians like to put to rest the ghost of their past” said Luna at first with a how-about-that tone of voice to a tone of interest as she was talking about how she gather the information about that particular part in Egypt’s history to a tone that was a mixture of wariness, and mostly curiosity as she stopped combing Cadence’s mane.
As they were about to exit, a knock on the door of Cadence’s room sounded, so Cadence decided to answer the door as she gave Luna a nod as if saying to her that she will get the door, but when she open the door she was kind of surprise, when she saw that Kiya came to check on them on the second floor of the palace.
“You look magnificent Cadence, very magnificent indeed, my friend! I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind talking in private with me, just for a few moments, of course, I know that you are probably a bit anxious about your performance, I shall not take long” said Kiya as she bowed her head to Cadence out of politeness.
“Yes, of course Kiya, I’ll be delighted to talk to you, Luna, I hope you don’t mind if I just take a few moments talking to Kiya” said Cadance smiling at Kiya then at Luna, as she put on a necklace that had an emerald dangling from it.
“Of course, Cadance, I should check on Daring, and her friends, but most importantly, I must check for my sister’s, and the other’s arrivals.” Said Luna as she bow her head at Cadance, then at Kiya, as she exited Cadance room, and closed the door giving the privacy Kiya and Cadence wanted…
The Arrival of Celestia and the others…..
“We are finally here!” said Twilight as she look down to see the Nile River, and the city of Cairo almost right below them, and Rarity was taking everything in, and grinning ear to ear, showing her excitement.
“This is going to be wonderful, we will make it before the festival officially starts, which means I will be able to mingle, and make myself known in Egypt!” said Rarity excitedly as she was already thinking on what outfit to wear for the very first night of the festival.
On the other chariot, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were talking excitedly also about what they were going to do as soon as they landed. After a while the chariots slowly descended toward the center plaza of Cairo, after what felt like a whole hour pass them by, they finally landed on the plaza, and had officially arrive to Egypt. As they were all getting out of their chariots, Luna saw them as she exited the palace that she galloped toward her sister, happy to see that her sister, Celestia, and the others arrived safely to Egypt.
“You are here sister, I was starting to worry about you, and the others, So how your flight here was? I hope nothing unexpected happen during your trip!” said Luna in a relieved voice as she looked at Luna, and then at their friends to make sure everyone was here, and accounted for.
“The trip went well sister, it was a smooth trip, and the weather was more than perfect to travel in. I see you are already dressed, and ready to go to the festival, I see. You look good sister.” Said Celestia in a calm voice as she was a bit of her magic to put her belonging, and Twilight’s, and the other’s belongings in a cart close by, which had a couple of guards ready to take the luggage inside to the palace, and into the specify rooms, which these guests of the Queen Kiya will be using…
Nighttime….The Rising of the Full Moon
(First Night of the Festival)
“Ponies and Cats alike, every year we have waited patiently for this festival to come as it signals the rebirth of life, but also of good luck, and fate. Now I have to say is that we are very lucky to be hosting a group of ponies, and their royalty the Princesses Luna, Celestia, and Cadence from Equestria, a land faraway from our Egypt, so please make them feel welcome here in Egypt!” said Kiya in an excited, but charismatic voice as she finished this part of her speech, there was a spectacle display of applause toward the Princesses, and Twilight, and her friends. Then the applause quiet down, and before Kiya could continue her speech, a group of soldiers march toward the center of the plaza, and toward the dais set up in the center of the plaza, but as soon as these soldiers came closer, they became more recognizable by everyone, except for those who came from Equestria. The soldiers actually wore Roman army attire, which meant Lucifer was close by. As soon as these soldiers stopped their formation near the center dais, they all bowed their heads toward Kiya out of respect, then the cat from the center of the group stood up gracefully on his two hind legs, and did the most elegant bow anypony , any cat saw. Then when his bow was finish, he then started walking towards Kiya as he did so his midnight black fur and colored toga shone under the moonlight, and the torch light.
“Kiya, no it can’t be! It has been five years! You have grown beautifully, and I see the gods have been kind to you” said Lucifer in a refine, but deep singsong voice as his tail and hers twisted together as a way of greeting.
“Five years? It feels like not even a day pass us by mi amor” sang Kiya as she and Lucifer both at the same time got on their hind legs, and then embraced each other as they did that the festival crowd quieted with some ‘aww’s that is so sweet’ remarks passing by here and there.
“You spoke Latin, my dear!” said Lucifer as he started kissing her front right leg from top to bottom, then Kiya told him to stop while blushing a bit as he stopped but still stayed kneeling at her on the white, marble stairs of the dais.
Then he got up and presented her with a small box, and inside the box was a gold necklace with a gold ring hanging from it, and the inscription inside the ring was ‘mi amor gaudiis semper esse Kiya’. Then when Kiya saw it, her eyes brighten, and yet she look shock at what Lucifer gave her, but then she smile, a very sweet smile towards Lucifer.
“What is this Lucifer? It is beautiful, really it is!” said Kiya blushing a bit as she hold still, and let Lucifer put the necklace on her, but it was the ring that really caught her eye as she saw the inscription inside the ring.
“Before the war, we were supposed to get marry, my dear Kiya, but then the war came that took me from you for five years, and now I am back, and still have all my nine lives still intact, so will you marry me Kiya?”asked Lucifer to Kiya, but since everyone by now went quiet, when they heard what Lucifer asked Kiya, everyone was like ‘Aww’, and many of them were containing their excitement as they waited for Kiya’s answer.
After a few moments past, Kiya’s smile, if it was possible brightened more, than she said, “Yes, Lucifer I will marry you, I have worry so much since you left me those last five years to fight in that war, I don’t want to lose you, my dear, I love you so much” said Kiya purring oh-so contently.
Then as soon as she said ‘yes’, there was so much cheering coming from the crowds of the festival, then Kiya grabbed a paw of Lucifer’s, and then she smile at him as they once more embrace each other. Then Kiya announced, “ Ponies and cats alike, I present to you, your new Pharaoh, and my loving, and soon-to-be husband, Lucifer, the General and Commander of the Roman Cat Army!”; then another round of applause, and cheering came from Kiya’s subjects.
Then as soon as the crowds of the festival quieted down, Kiya started talking again, “And now I also introduced Cadence, Princess of Equestria, who is going to honor this festival, and us by singing us an aria, about the death of Star Heart, who like the leader of the Koryoshiko tribe, Krios has become legendary to all of us. So now I leave you with the Princess Cadence and her beautiful voice.” Said Kiya as she took Lucifer’s paw, and they went to join up with Kira, who was sitting in front of the dais, in an area that is only specify for royalty, and for their guests, Celestia and her friends.
Then Cadence walked up the stairs of the white marble dais, and move toward the center of the dais, then she looked at the faces of her friends, and then at the rest of the crowd, and she saw faces of excitement, but also the look of those holding onto their seats as they waited for the song to start as many of them were well-versed on the stories of the war between Krios and Star Heart for the all-powerful emerald.
But before Cadence started singing she remember what Kiya told her when they were left alone, was that Kira like Zecora will be helping out, except Kira’s part won’t be as easy to ‘see’ that’s all Kiya had said, but Kiya also told her that no one should know about Kira’s part since it was going to be a surprise, and will add the mystic of the performance, then after a few moments Cadence started to sing…
The Death of Star Heart/The Lament of Kolaia
Everything was silent, deadly silent
Two brave warriors were left standing
Each knew that one must die tonight
Krios, The Dark Warrior growl his challenge
Star, The Fearless One, accepted the Challenge
Death was waiting at bay, smiling at both of them
\tThen as Cadance was still singing in her soprano voice, as she was doing that Zecora use a bit of her magic, and some special colorful powder, to create a most spectacular, magical visual of the most famous, mythical battle between Krios, and Star Heart that everyone in the crowd gather closer listening carefully to Cadance, but took great care not to miss a moment of the visual, because as Cadence went deeper into the story the visual change to show the next event….
\tKrios, strike first, and his blow landed true
\tThis did not phase Star at all!
\tThen Star tries to tackle Krios
\tHe succeeded for a while
\tNot knowing that Krios devised his ultimate demise
\tKrios then waited for the perfect time, for the perfect kill
\tAs Krios grinned oh so evilly, Star kicked him off him as Krios try to scratch
\tHis soft -furred face.
Star had received many injuries from Krios and still he fought on.
Star fought on and on and on, never stopping, never waiving from the fight!
He knew only one will stand, and one will fall, the emerald has taken its toll.
How long this battle lasted, is a question for many, even those who were witnesses
As they both look at each other, the rest of the world disappear for them
There was just eternal darkness watching them, waiting for the next one to strike
A powerful blow.
Krios started to limp, when he dealt a mighty blow from Star
Star too, also started slowing down, as he saw Krios struggling to walk
Both were in so much pain, that the pain felt unbearable to them both
Neither wanted to show weakness, both were strong at heart as warriors should be.
Again, and again they slashed and clawed each other, neither wanting to stop the fight.
Death was closing in, Death knew one of them must die, Death waited patiently as he
Always does!
The Final round, the Final blow came in the most unexpected way!
Krios then feigned weakness, he started to limp, Hope, his love, gasped in fear.
Then everything and everyone became silent when they saw Krios limp.
Many were in shock, some started to shed tears when Krios limped, once again.
Star was wary, a most wise choice, indeed! And so he tarries, and watched Krios carefully.
Then Krios fell, silence also fell on the field, not a sound was heard as Star charged.
Hoping that his final charge will take care of Krios, Star charged with his final strength
Then faster than the eye could see a whip or was it a lasso lashed out at Star
Then Krios pulled with all his might, then Star started to choke.
For Krios this was music, such sweet music for his ears to hear!
Then as Star got closer to Krios, he felt weaker and weaker as he walks
Toward Krios, when he was within reach…….
Krios took the plunge…..
Everything was silent…..
Not a soul made a noise….
As a death rattle was heard…
Star was gone forever….
His spirit soared toward Paradise….
His Family mourned, his kinsmen wallow in their grief, the sadness never-ending
Then a lament was heard throughout the battlefield….
As Zecora was doing her magic’s with her special colored powder, now with the help of Lone Sword, who was a unicorn, since Zecora wanted the images to be more realistic looking, but also larger, and with the small boost from Sword’s magic was just enough to give a spectacular light show to the large, festive crowd as they were totally silent, but their eyes shone with the excitement, they were keeping bottle up.
When the first part of the song was over, a shadow was cast on top of everyone from above, as the ponies, and cats move themselves a bit to clearly see where the shadow was coming from, as they look up at one of the pillars that was lit up by a torch on top, they saw someone shrouded all in black, and the figure had its head down as if in grief, then a stealthy breeze came through the plaza, and the way it let the loose hanging cloth this figure was wearing sway, gave the feeling that this person, or shadow should be at peace, not suffering.
What the ponies and cats below including Lone Sword, Zecora, Luna, Celestia, and the Mane six didn’t know was that this figure was actually Kira in disguised, since Kiya planned Kira’s part of this performance, and that was the main reason why she needed to talk to Princess Cadence in private, since it was to tell her not to worry about Kira’s part of the First Festival Night Performance, so Cadence accepted the idea, and went along with it, since it was to be a surprise for the others.
Then as promised by Krios earlier, when he was using a bit of the emerald’s head to communicate to Kira by using his telepathic powers, Krios gave Kira the ability to alter her voice a bit, which she did, and the voice she was using mostly, is what Krios mostly remembers how Kolaia, Star’s wife sounded.
Then as soon as the song ended, Kira moved her neck, and face slowly on purpose for dramatic effect as her face looked toward the full moon, she gave a bone-chilling, cry of sadness, and then she cry out the name of Kolaia’s mate, “Noooo! Star! Star! My Star! Why did you leave me?!”, and then Kira for dramatic effect collapse on top of the pillar as if her body couldn’t hold the grieve, which she was portraying extremely well with that little gift from Krios.
After she was done with her part of the performance, Sword and Zecora caught the attention again of the crowd with the magical visuals which they were producing to continue the story, and Cadence continued singing…..
The Lament of Kolaia
My Star is gone, oh gods how could you have been so cruel?
This grieve I feel is like no other, it pulls at the heart of my being
Death has gained my beloved, a valiant warrior, may the Gods grant him peace.
His days in this dreary world are over, and mine has begun without him
There is so much sadness to be express, it will never end, this torment!
My daughters won’t see their father again, what will I tell them?
He has been killed by a brute, he died a horrible, but honorable death!
Star, I will always remember you, I will never, never forget you!
I will grieve, our daughters will grieve, and your tribe will grieve for you!
We will honor your memory, light a candle to guide your soul upwards,
We will pray that you reach the afterlife peacefully, if Almighty Ra allows it.
This pain without you is unbearable, how am I supposed to go on?
You told me to always look for the light and live, and keep on living,
If something happen to you tonight, I wouldn’t accept it….till now!
My heart goes with you, I will never love again, this I swear to you!
I promise to protect our daughters, always remind them of you!
We will meet again, when the time is right, death like life is swift
So we will meet again, my love, This I promise you!
As Princess Cadence finally ended her song with her soprano voice, as usual, but at the end she holds the notes of her voice longer for dramatic effect. Then for a few moments everything was silent, and quiet, as it was like that Sword and Zecora finished up their little magic, visual light show. Then slowly, very slowly clapping could be heard throughout the plaza, that after a few moments it reached into a magnificent crescendo, and with that came loud, excited, almost idolizing cheering from the crowd for Princess Cadence, who just stood, and smile, shock at the praises she was receiving from her audience, and also from her friends.
As the clapping, and cheering went on, Kira got pick up by a Pegasus guard as was plan, and she rode on a chariot as the guard took her back to her balcony to get change in her room, since everyone’s attention was on Princess Cadance, which made their exit easier to do. Then after a few moments, they reached her balcony, then Kira gave her thanks to the guard that picked her up, and then she enters her room.
As she got out of the black outfit she was wearing, she also told Krios to use a bit of power to fix her voice, which he did easily. Then she changed into a light red dress, and wore a simple headdress with a gold cobra on top of it as decoration, then she put on a pair of scandals, then she was off.
After a few minutes…..
As Kira was walking around her saw Daring, and her friends, so then she went towards them. As she did so the Mane Six said hi to her, and she said hi back with a smile on her face, then she nodded very politely toward Princess Luna and Celestia, to Zecora, and also Lone Sword, her most trusted friend, the Captain of the Guards. Then she went to Daring, and started talking to her.
“Hey Daring, do you want me to give you a quick tour of the nearby bazaars, and stores here?” asked Kira as she waited patiently for Daring’s answer.
“Of course! Kira, thank you so much, so how do you want to do it? Walking or Racing?” asked Daring with a mischievous grin on her face as she waited for Kira’s response.
“Yeah we could race, but fair warning, I am one of the best racers of all Cairo, so are you sure you want to race me?”asked Kira laughing a bit.
“You are on!” said Daring excitedly as she and Kira got ready to race unknowingly to the map store, and then Daring friends watch them race, while they were still visible to them. So Kira and Daring put all of their energy into this race, not knowing yet who was going to win, and arrive first to the map storⱥ眠楨档戠⁹潳敭甠歮潮湷映牯散眠獡搠慲楷杮琠敨潴慷摲琠敨洠灡猠潴敲映物瑳薅ഉ䜍潬獳牡൹
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\tSenet: Ancient Egyptian for Sister
\tHizlan- a Turkish interjection meaning faster/quicker
\tSaha’la- Arabic for magic
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