//------------------------------//
// The Plan. 
// Story: The Techno Crystal War. 
// by SolidFerret 
//------------------------------//

	Shard Edge looked up at the tower. The six gems plus the one in the center above them made it clear where the Wielders of the Elements and the Princess went. A red glow that got brighter when it got darker answered the question about Vinyl. But Edge saw a dark figure along with a blue pony.

"Sombra." Edge said menacingly at the thought of him creeping at his mind. Edge glowed his horn and waved his magic blade around. He got his cutie mark when he used it too simply defend himself when he was young. But despite the ability, he didn't join the guards since he wanted to explore.

"So what's the plan. We can't just sit here while this 'Sombra' take's our girlfriends, wife, and crushes away from us." Hard Chord said while trying to comfort his brother, who was recovering from his attack and the thought of seeing his wife get taken. Soarin starring angrily while Nova and Caramel tried not to cry. Both of them unsuccessful.

"We wait." Edge said simply.

"Are you-"

"No. We need to strike when Sombra leasts expect it. We can't make ourselves a target or he'll take out this shelter." Edge looked at the group. The crystal ponies that made it obviously were terrified at the return of King Sombra.

"Why can you at least tell me how the hell this all happened?" Hard Chord asked angrily.

"Since the crystal heart is so focused on love and happiness, it drives Sombra away. But with the games coming up, the lack of it and more focus on that might have lead to this. Also your argument with Shining Armor caused some sort of unloved feeling. That and the fact that Cadence wasn't around to cheer them up, it's clear that he got in with all the negativeness going around."

"That is bullshit! Who could've felt unloved and 'not happy' during our argument. That asshole started it!" Anger raged in Hard Chord.

Edge looked over and saw Caramel with tears streaming down his face.

"Hey. Caramel." Edge called to him.

"Wh... wha... What?" He asked. Clearly being in shock from the vents that unfolded.

"You need to straighten up."

"But Applejack-"

Edge shook his head and said to him, "I know how you fell but we all know that right now we need to sit tight." Edge walked over and picked up Applejacks' hat. He put it on Caramels head.

"Don't worry." He said comfortingly. "We'll save them."

"You know what, I'll go up there and repel Sombra with my love for Twilight." Hard Chord said as he got out of the shelter and readied his wings.

"You can try." Edge said as Soarin walked over.

"Try? I'm gonna win." Hard Chord flew off and around the city to not give away the shelter. Edge looked over to Soarin.

"Go after him. No being hero and don't encourage him. I know Rainbow Dash is up there but I think we know that we can't just go up there in love and expect us to take on Sombra." Edge said sternly.

Soarin nodded and flew around the city before taking off full speed towards the tower.





Hard Chord looked up at the tall tower. It's dizzying height made Hard Chord thankful for his wings. He ascended it in a spiral and reached the top. His heart pounded in his chest at the sight of the dark pony with black flowing mane. But what really scared him was the conditions of his friends. Shining was cocooned to the wall in crystals. Vinyl wasn't even moving in glowing red ropes that hung from the ceiling. The seven gem prisons contained a pony that looked like there were in stasis. The one that had a lavender pony in it made Hard Chord charge at it.

"TWILIGHT!" He screamed as he reached the crystal and began to pound on it with his hooves. The surface was hard enough to break bones if they were hit hard enough.

Sombra only laughed. "Foolishness won't save her."

"Screw you. I love her!" He yelled his last sentence as he tried relentlessly to free his marefriend. Shining watched in amazement at his efforts. He hadn't seen a pony be so dedicated to helping his little sister. 

"I've had enough of your hopelessness." Sombra casted his magic as he hit Hard Chord.

Hard Chord could feel himself being pulled away from Twilight. He tried to latch on to the crystal but was to late. The velocity flung him off the building. He could be heard screaming the whole way down.

Hard Chord nearly hit the ground if it weren't for Soarin. He was taken back to the shelter just as night set in.

When Edge approached him, Hard Chord was in tears.

"It's was me. I felt unloved. Shining said the same exact shit my dad said." He broke down for only a moment. Edge patted him on the back.




"I thought this would already be over." Caramel said. He and others hoped that this wouldn't drag on for a day. They hoped Sombra would be defeated and they would go back home.

"Sorry Caramel but we need to be patient." Edge said.

"I feel bad for Spike. He hasn't said a word since Rarity was taken." Nova said.

"Dude if there's anyone we should feel bad for, it's Notes. This will probably be the first night in weeks where he doesn't get laid." Hard Chord said.

They all settled in for the night. Hoping that this would all end in their sleep.





{A/N} Programs, I hate to sound to stalker like but where were you all yesterday when the last chapter was posted. I really like your harsh criticism.