June 2023 Event: The State of the Crystal Empire

To say that the air around the Crystal Empire was tense was an understatement. Velvet inhaled sharply through her nose, her face scrunching softly as murmurs and whispers from the Equestrians assailed her ears. Compared to the windy silence of the city they found themselves in their voices, however quiet, were deafening. The mare’s brow furrowed as her ears flicked back, one of her hind hooves subconsciously tapping at the cobbled street.

 

The voices swarmed, ringing loud and drowning out her thoughts until-

 

“Velvet..?” A soft voice asked, snapping the mare out of it as she looked over.. Her eyes met Belle’s concerned gaze. At the silent stare, the Unicorn hybrid raised a brow. “You alright? You’re pale as a ghost.” Velvet furrowed her brow again at the question, making note that she was unable to keep still and her breathing had quickened.

“I-” She began, shutting her mouth quickly as she exhaled in a sharp sigh. “No, dear.” Her terse tone alerted the Unicorn/Pegasus who frowned, her tail flicking behind her as she finally broke her gaze away. “This isn’t right.”

 

“What exactly..?” Belle asked, coming over and gently pressing a wing against Velvet’s forehead.. The mare was indeed pale, her fidgeting and vacant stare were uncharacteristic of her - her wing got gently swatted away with a hoof.

“This entire situation, darling.” Velvet groaned, tapping one of her hind hooves on the ground again as she squinted, her gaze trailing over the empty streets and fenced off homes. “This has been going on for fifty years now, no cure, it’s contagious..” She frowned, thinking of the infected locked away in their homes before pushing herself to her hooves and storming off in a huff, causing Belle to jump up.

“W-wait! Where are you going?” She hollered after, but Velvet Wing had already unfurled her wings and taken to the air. She sighed again, watching as she disappeared over the roof of a building and her wings folded tightly against her frame, the curls of her hair gently swaying as she shook her head. One thing was for certain, though, and that was the fact that something wasn’t right. Turning her attention back to the others, she found herself scanning the crowd as her cheeks puffed into a soft pout.. Where in the world had Pas gotten to?