>It was strange, really.
>How you could possibly feel at home in such a dark and eerie castle.
>But somehow, you did.
>Lighting a torch, your eyes slowly adjusted to the familiar sight of your bedroom.
>It was a comfortable place, to say the least.
>Queen Umbra had seen to that.
>The dark black crystalline walls reflected the light of the fire.
>Stretching, you grip the opulent door handle, which was also made of the dark crystal material.
>Yep, you lived a life of luxury.
>Even though Queen Umbra was a bit snide and cold hearted to you, she'd never really committed any harmful acts against you.
>You'd never admit it, but you loved it here much more than you had in your old world.
>Stepping out into the hall, you begin to descend the flights of stairs toward the main lobby of the palace.
>Umbra sure did love her stairs.
>There had to be at least a thousand on the way to your destination.
 
>But it never really bothered you. It was always a good time to think right after you awoke.
>Suddenly, you realize just what day it is.
>December 31st, the last day of the Equestrian Standard Calender.
>New Years Eve.
>You wonder what celebrations the Queen has planned.
>You chuckle quietly to yourself.
>You knew the Queen never celebrated.
>That isn't going to stop you, however.
>This year's gonna be different.
>This year, you're gonna warm that frigid heart of hers.
>That, or die trying.
 
>Finally, you reach the end of the stairs, and step into the lobby.
>Surveying the area, you see several of the Queen's guards posted around.
>The mares were clad in thick Crystalline armor of the darkest black.
>Were it not for the reflections of the torches, you'd almost believe that you were staring into a deep abyss.
>Then again, you supposed it was all well and good to match.
>Just about everything here was black, or close to it.
>The columns, the stairs, the floor, all made of the same dark crystal.
>The only contrast from the color scheme was the dark red banner that hung directly behind Umbra's throne.
>Glancing toward the large seat, you notice Queen Umbra talking with one of her commanding officers.
>Their voices come into focus as you near your destination.
 
>"I don't give a damn about the cost, I want you to keep the walls sustained. It was hard enough to reconquer this Kingdom from that goddess-damned Princess and her friends," The queen barks at her officer, who just nods and trots off.
>Rolling her eyes, you hear the queen mumble something about good help being so hard to find.
>Finally, you stop walking and stand directly in front of the throne, bowing.
>She glances toward you, squinting her eyes suspiciously.
>"Yes?"
 
"Good morning, my queen!" You exclaim, ignoring her frustrated tone.
>"Yes, yes, did you need something, or are you just wasting my time again?" She grunts.
"Again?" You ask, puzzled.
>Rolling her eyes, she repeats the events of a few days prior, Hearth's Warming Eve.
>You had insisted that you and her exchange gifts.
>Unfortunately, she did not see eye to eye with you on that one.
>Still, you saw it fit to give her a gift anyway.
>You chiseled her a drinking goblet from the finest crystal you were able to find in the frozen wastes.
>If there was anything Umbra loved in the world, it was drinking.
>You nearly froze your fingers off finding the right block.
>When you gave it to her, she just rolled her eyes and mumbled a half-hearted thanks.
>But for just a moment, you swore you saw the ghost of a smile on her face.
>That had made your efforts all worth it.
>She had given you a gift, she just didn't know it.
 
>As she finishes retelling the story, you can't help but grin at the memory.
>Her brows furrow at your show of delight.
>"Wipe that smile off your face or I'll make it disappear myself," She threatens.
>You do as she says, clearing your throat.
"Anyway, I just came down here to tell you to have a happy New Year!" You grin.
>She raises a puzzled eyebrow for a moment before understanding.
>"Oh, it is the final day of the year, isn't it? What an occasion," She replies sarcastically.
>At that very moment, a guard bursts through the castle yelling at the top of her lungs.
 
>"My queen! The slaves are revolting!" She exclaims, struggling for breath.
>Umbra stands and stomps her hooves on the floor, silencing the commotion that has brewed.
>"IMBECILES! Keep them contained, damn you!" She barks.
>The entire garrison of the palace rushes out into the cold.
>"I'll be in my quarters, leave me be if you value your life," She growls at you.
>She storms off, and you soon hear her door slam shut.
>A bit disheartened, you sigh and walk back to your bedroom.
>Even though she probably wasn't serious, you didn't want to risk it.
>You sit on your bed, thinking about celebrations back home.
 
>You had always enjoyed the firework shows. The spectacular colors exploding in the sky were beauty beyond anything else.
>The blinding blues, the searing greens, the ruby reds.
>Ruby.
>Just like her eyes.
>How you loved the sight of her eyes.
>It was a shame they were always tainted by anger.
>What you wouldn't give to see those eyes filled with joy.
>At that moment, an idea hatches in your mind.
>Maybe some of those brilliant colors would bring her some happiness.
 
>You jump from the bed in excitement.
>But where would you find the fireworks?
>You think for a moment, before remembering where you are.
>You're in the crystal empire.
>There's minerals in crystals.
>Some minerals have pyrotechnic properties.
>You throw on a large coat and set out of your room, your mind set on your plan.
>Several minutes later, you arrive at your destination.
>The crystal library.
 
>After several hours of research, you think you've found the answers you sought.
>Setting out into the frozen wilderness, you spend another few hours gathering the minerals needed.
>Finally, you take the materials to the local crystalsmith, who grinds them up for you.
>You mix and match the powder into different containers, creating all sorts of pyrotechnics.
>One last thing to do.
>You spend an hour or so lining the fireworks up around the outside of the castle.
>By this time, it's beginning to get pretty dark out.
>You walk into the castle, headed toward Umbra's room.
 
>You notice that the door is slightly ajar.
>Strange.
>You peek inside, and notice the queen sitting at her desk.
>She looks immensely stressed.
>You're about to fix that, you think with a smile.
>You knock on the door a few times.
>"Come in," Her voice calls from within.
>You do as she says.
>Her eyes narrow as she sees who her visitor is.
>"Anon? I thought I told you to-"
"I know, but I have something you really have to see," You reply, barely able to contain your excitement.
>Her eyes perk up in surprise and curiosity.
>She follows you outside, as do most of the guards.
 
>You stand outside with her for a moment, just smiling at her.
>She, however, glares at you.
>"Anon, I swear, if this is another one of your-"
"Trust me, my Queen, you'll enjoy this,"
>She rolls her eyes and grunts.
>"Fine, but hurry it up, I have... important things to do,"
>You grin and light a match.
>Holding it to the linked fuze, it catches and burns furiously.
>It only takes a moment for the show to start.
 
>Brilliant colors flash throughout the sky.
>Explosions rock through the air.
>You can hear the 'ooh's and 'aahh's from the guards behind you.
>Glancing over to Umbra, you notice that even she's surprised.
>Her ruby eyes focus on the colors.
>"Anon, this display of color... it's-" She begins.
>Then she regains her composure.
>"Yes, well, it is an interesting display, to say the least,"
>Clearing her throat, she starts walking back inside.
>"I'll be in my quarters," She grunts.
>Your brows furrow.
>All that effort for nothing?
>Now you were mad.
 
>Stomping back toward her quarters, you're ready to give her a piece of her mind.
>At least, until you hear the sobbing emanating from within.
>Your anger fades into curiosity and empathy.
>Pushing open the door, you walk in, surprising the mare at the desk.
>Her head turns in your direction.
>Her eyes are puffy and tear filled.
>"Queen Umbra?" You ask.
>She bares her clenched teeth and growls at you.
>"Goddamnit Anon! Why do you always have to remind me of happiness?"
>Confused, you close the distance between the both of you and lock her in an embrace.
>Surprisingly, she doesn't even resist against your hold.
>She rests her head into your chest and cries.
 
>Finally, the tears dry up.
>She's left in your embrace.
>At least, until she shoves you off.
>"If you tell anyone of this, you will pray for death," She growls.
>You nod.
>"Are you alright, my queen?"
>She just looks at you for a moment, before getting up and walking toward her balcony.
>She gestures for you to follow her.
>As you lean against the railing with her, she waves a hoof toward the vast landscape.
>"Anon, I have conquered this entire kingdom twice now. All of this land and everything on it is mine," She begins.
>After a short pause, she looks you right in the eyes.
>"But none of it brings me happiness,"
 
>You frown.
>"I haven't been truly happy in over a millenia now. I still remember the times as if they happened yesterday, however."
>You stay quiet, motioning for her to continue.
>"When you came to Equestria, I..."
>She takes a deep breath.
>"I never expected for you to become as important to me as you are on this day,"
>Sighing, she continues.
>"Anon, all these celebratory gestures... they remind me of what it's like to be happy,"
>"No stallion has made me feel this way in a long, long time."
>She's unable to lock eyes with you.
>"Anon, I think I m-may... I may be in love with you," She stutters finally.
 
>Your own heart is pounding a mile a minute.
>You're about to speak when she cuts you off with a raised hoof.
>"Don't speak. Anon, my last love ended in a very... unfortunate way. It's the reason why I act so cold today."
>"I don't know if I can handle that again. If you won't stay with me forever, then it would be best for us to end this before it begins."
>You grab her and pull her in for a kiss.
>She's surprised at first, struggling against you.
>But she presses her lips harder against yours soon after.
>As you break the kiss, you take a deep breath.
>"I love you too, Umbra, and it would be my utmost pleasure to stay with you," You reply, smiling.
>Her lips turn upward into a smile, and her eyes positively glow with happiness.
>Tears begin to form in her ruby red eyes.
>You wipe them away, and she pulls you into an embrace.
>"Thank you, Anon."
>The castle's crystals suddenly lighten up just a bit, and the air doesn't feel so cold anymore.
>You've succeeded in melting the cold ice that trapped Umbra's heart, even if only just a little.
>Over time, you expect that your relationship will warm her up the rest of the way.
>Because she loves you, and you love her.