Crystalline Destiny - MLP Fanfic

Chapter Nine

Emerald Shield was a complex creature, Irradiance decided at that moment. Sitting alone on the floor of a hollowed-out tree, the purple stallion had witnessed the leader of this adventure crumble into embarrassment.

"Woah," Hibiscus managed after the angry exit of Emerald Shield, followed by Amber. "Maybe he really was thinking about you, Ornament!"

That name was getting old. "You guys really need to guess my name. We're almost at the moment. If we get there and you haven't figured it out, I'm not telling you."

Gasps followed the declaration and Irradiance felt a grin split across his face. He was having fun with these ponies! Secretly, he knew he didn't want to say goodbye to them after the trip. But realistically, there was nothing tying them together other than this joint adventure that Cobalt and Hibiscus didn't even need to come on! They'd just decided to join because what? They pitied Irradiance?

"You can't never tell us!" Hibiscus whined, standing up and stomping a pink hoof on the ground.

"I can do whatever I want! I've got trauma," Irradiance pouted exaggeratedly, his bottom lip sticking out as far as he could manage before his face returned to a mischievous grin.

Irradiance thought of another name to have the group call him. Something close to the answer, but not, to throw off their next guesses. "You guys should call me... Crystal!"

"That's a pretty name," Hibiscus deadpanned, expression still one of frustration.

"Why can't I remember your name?" Cobalt thought, looking down at his hooves. "I literally saw the poster of you. Every time I visited Hibiscus I'd see the memorial poster! Is this some sort of weird magic trick you're playing on us?" The blue Pegasus gasped suddenly, making Irradiance jump. "Did you charm us to never know your name?"

"No!" He defended quickly, rolling his eyes. These ponies were ridiculous. "I didn't charm you not to know my name. If you know it and don't remember, that's your fault."

The absence of Emerald and Amber was drawing long and Irradiance was growing impatient. They should continue the journey; the rain was letting up now to a light sprinkle and his sprained hoof was feeling much less painful. The stallion stood up slowly, putting pressure on his injured hoof last, relieved when the pulsing pain that followed was nearly gone.

"Oh, excellent!" Hibiscus cheered, smiling happily. "Your hoof is better! Once Emerald Shield and Amber come back we can start heading toward the monument again!"

That gnawing feeling of not wanting the journey to end crept up on Irradiance again. The rain had granted his wish and extended the trip for a few more hours, but what were hours in the grand scheme of things? Not enough, Irradiance answered himself silently.

"You should go look for him," Hibiscus said suddenly, watching carefully as the stallion got lost in thought. "That's what you were thinking about, right?"

Irradiance rolled his eyes, taking a couple of steps toward the exit and removing the bookshelf that had been slid back after Emerald's departure. "No, actually, I was thinking about being famous and owning a giant castle where none of you would be allowed in."

Cobalt scoffed, "Yeah, right. You secretly like us!"

"Whatever," The purple stallion brushed off, looking outside of the tree for where the remaining two creatures might be located. "I am going to go look for Emerald and Amber, actually. Not because you suggested it, but because I want to get moving and get these stupid crystals off of me!" Flushed, Irradiance made his exit and began searching for the Pegasus and Dragon duo.

Not far off between the bushes in the swamp, gold and green were beside each other and Irradiance was relieved to know they were right nearby. Walking toward the pair of creatures, Irradiance was suddenly struck with fear as a masked monster suddenly popped up from the marsh below.