-Astrology Tower/Twilight's Tower-
“Twilight, I am sorry, but you are not to leave Canterlot for the foreseeable future.” Princess Celestia stated, shocking Twilight to being fully awake.
“What!?” Twilight bounded out of her bed and stood before Celestia. “Wh-why!?” She pleaded.
“I'm so sorry, but with the recent happenings I just can't let you be in harm's way any longer. Equestria is no longer safe Twilight.” Celestia sat in front of her student, as a sad smile formed.
“Wa-wait you don't mean that I'm dang-” Twilight stuttered before Celestia cut her off with a panicked yell.
“No! No, Twilight you are not a danger! Don't you ever think that!” Celestia hollered, shoving a firm hoof into Twilight's open mouth. “It's only for a while Twilight, until we can flush out the Cultists who are hiding in Ponyville.”
“What about my friends and their families?” Twilight nervously asked.
“Both Luna's and my royal guards will watch over them and the town while we try to figure out what's happening to you alright?” Celestia reassured as she nuzzled Twilight's cheek.
Celestia's gentle nuzzle calmed the purple Unicorn's nervous demeanor slightly as she relaxed. Twilight felt safe around the Princess, as she normally did whenever her nerves got the better of her. But as Twilight thought about it, this hug did not feel as comforting as they usually did. She turned her head slightly to gaze upon Celestia's face, but what she saw was not what Twilight expected.
The Princess' pupils were reduced to tiny pinpricks and sweat beaded down her face. Twilight struggled to free herself of Celestia's vice grip, the princess was strong like an Earth Pony due to her being an Alicorn, so breaking free of her hug was not an easy task. Eventually Twilight decided to just teleport and reappear on the other side of the room, away from Celestia. “Princess what's wrong with you?” Twilight coughed and gasped to catch her breath from being almost choked.
Celestia lunged at Twilight and attempted to grab her again but Twilight ducked and ran into the hallway. “Twilight!?”
“Princess, what are you doing!?” Twilight screamed as Celestia once again lunged at her. Twilight vanished with a flash of purple and ran down the corridor below. 'Why did she do that!?' She thought as she heard rumbling from above her.
A hole appeared in the ceiling as Celestia broke through it and ran at Twilight, horn aglow. “Come back Twilight!” She yelled.
Twilight panicked and teleported into the garden outside the window beside her. 'Something is not right here! I have to run!' She nodded to herself and bolted into the hedge-maze before her hoping to throw Celestia off her trail. She heard a loud boom as Celestia destroyed the castle wall. Twilight noticed several royal guards chasing after Celestia before she landed on the ground.
Princess Celestia saw a flash of purple disappear behind a wall of green and proceeded to follow. 'I can't stop my body for some reason!' Celestia's body was moving of its own accord much to her sheer terror. She felt her magick build up in her horn as she burned hedge after hedge to catch up to Twilight. 'Run Twilight!' She attempted to seize control of her body but something was forcefully blocking her. 'Damn! What is doing this!?' She redoubled her efforts as her body pursued the unicorn.
Twilight panted as she ran as fast she could, she could feel Celestia's immense magical presence behind her but she refused to give up. 'Echo can you tell what's wrong with Celestia!?' She demanded as she jumped over a burning hedge-wall.
'I'll try Twilight!' Echo said with determination. She spread out her awareness so she could do a magical scan of the Princess' body, Celestia was getting closer so Echo had to be quick. Or she would have if everything around them was not starting to blur. 'Mistress something is happening!'
Suddenly all three ponies found themselves in their embrace in Twilight's room again. Celestia gasped, released Twilight, and fell to her haunches. “T-Twilight? What...” She blinked, then blinked again to see if she was imagining things, but Twilight still stood in front of her with an expression as shocked as hers was.
“Princess, did you see what I did just now?” Twilight winced as Celestia nodded silently. Turning on her heel, Twilight bolted to the window sill and her widened in horror. “Celestia look!” She yelled as she pointed a hoof out the window.
Celestia trotted to the window and peeked her head out to see what Twilight meant, she gasped at what she saw. The entire hedge-maze was frozen in solid crystal unlike anything of what either Twilight or herself just experienced of whatever just happened. She turned her head to her student as Twilight did the same to her. “Twilight...I'm sorry about not being able to properly protect you from danger.” She whispered, not wanting to turn away. “Hmm...stay here I'll check it out.” At Twilight's slow nod, Celestia unfurled her wings and flew out the open window. She gracefully glided onto the crystallized grass below her and looked around with her eyes only. “What happened here, that vision seemed so real.”
She began to trek through the field to look for any sign of magick residue that might help explain things. “What could have caused this?” Celestia used her magick to break off a shard of the crystals protruding out the ground and examined it. “Eh? I recognize this type of magick.” Narrowing her eyes, Celestia whispered. “There's only two beings in Equestria capable of Crystal Magick now, but both of them have been sealed away...” She gasped. “Wait a minute, just a moment ago, me and Twilight had a vision of some sort. Could it have been our worst fears right now?” Celestia grit her teeth in anger. “King Sombra. So that's it.”
Celestia turned her gaze toward a rather large crystal in the center of the field, which was floating on it's own. “Huh, what's this? It looks like the crystal I have in the throne room.” She took a step forward, but stopped when a protective barrier suddenly surrounded the crystal. Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Either it's protecting itself or someone else is here.” Turning her head, the Princess looked around to see if anyone else was in the area.
“Princess!” Celestia turned around to see two guards and Twilight running towards her.
“Twilight? What's wrong? I thought I told you to stay put.” Celestia questioned with concern.
Twilight scuffed a hoof across the crystallized ground. “I'm sorry Princess but these two asked me where you were, so I led them to you.”
“Your Highness, we have a report from Northern Equestria!” The left guard reported.
“A report? Let's hear it.” Celestia said as she wrapped Twilight in a protective wing.
“It seems a large structure has appeared out of thin air. Several smaller buildings also appeared alongside it. From what we can gather, a northern patrol that happened to be in the area at the time, saw an entire city come out from a sub-space of sorts.” The other guard finished.
It took Celestia a moment to register what she just heard. But after a moment's thought she suddenly remembered a past event that led to the disappearance of an entire empire. 'The Crystal Empire has returned? Than there's no mistaking what has just transpired between Twilight and I.' She closed her eyes in deep thought.
Twilight watched Celestia close her eyes but couldn't quite figure out what the Princess was thinking. 'Just what is happening today? First that freaky vision I had of Celestia attacking me than this crystal coming out of nowhere. And all of this happened in only a few minutes, talk about fast acting.' Twilight furrowed her brow as Celestia opened her eyes and the Princess looked at her directly.
“Twilight, there is something I want your friends to do for me on my behalf.” Celestia wrapped Twilight with her wing more tightly.
“Eh? Like what Princess?” Twilight asked curiously.
Celestia put on a stern face. “I want them to go north...to the Crystal Empire.” She stated.
Twilight tilted her head. “W-wait, just them?” She asked wearily.
“Come inside, I'll explain everything.” Princess Celestia nodded to her guards as they fell in line behind the Princess and her student.
__________________________________________________________________
-3 Hours Later-
Spike groaned as he and Twilight's friends rode the Friendship Express train to the north of Equestria for a mission of the utmost importance. 'Poor Twilight, having to sit and wait in Canterlot while the rest of us journey to Celestia knows where.' The dragon closed his eyes and sighed with agitation. Spike , Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie were called to Canterlot by the summons of Princess Celestia in order to investigate the recently returned Crystal Empire. Not alone of course, as Princess Cadence left the city two hours before they did, along with a small garrison of guards.
One such guard-by the name of Flare Wing-stood stoically at the back of the train car. Spike was seated nearest to Flare and he lazily eyed the guard few times out of sheer boredom. The stallion was young for a lieutenant, his coat was a fiery red with a ragged yellow mane and tail, he was a few inches taller than Rainbow Dash. Flare Wing was also a Pegasus, his cutie mark was a crystal sword wreathed in flames, akin to his name.
'This guy is a joke, flinches at every little sound he hears...how'd he become a lieutenant anyway? Besides today, I've never seen him before.' Spike asked himself as Flare Wing nearly face-planted due to the train car hitting a rough portion of track.
“Um, why are you looking at me like that?” Flare asked as he regained his footing.
“No reason really. I'm just curious as to why I have never seen your face before.” Spike replied.
“Oh that.” Flare's eyes shifted side to side for few moments as he contemplated what to say next. After a while he continued. “Could you please keep this a secret?” He asked pleadingly.
Spike tilted his head in question. “I guess I could.” He turned around to face the stallion directly.
“Thanks.” Flare nodded his head. “Well normally this would be a breach of protocol, but I managed to pull some strings in order to get my superior to allow me to accompany you guys. I'm the Lieutenant of the Princess's Royal Guard, so I'm supposed to be here right now but I really wanted to see the Crystal Empire for myself.” He gestured to the window with a hoof. “Well that's the short bit, Princess Celestia actually doesn't know I'm here right now.” Flare closed his eyes, and smiled sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head.
Spike folded his arms. “Wait, wait, wait you left the palace without the Princess's permission?” He accused pointedly.
“Please don't tell anyone, I could lose my job for pulling something like this.” Flare sat down with a thump.
Spike raised an eyebrow and stared at him for a moment, than turned around and waved an arm nonchalantly. “Alright, alright, we're on a mission here and we need all the help we can get.” Spike grinned fiercely as his confidence rose. 'Well if Twilight isn't here to take charge this time, I'll take the ranges in her place. Hee, maybe I'll get a trophy for doing a job, ooh or better yet, a huge pile of gems.' He licked his lips at the thought.
Flare nodded slowly and sighed in relief. “Phew...I guess I'll be fine from here on out. Just as long as none of those Cultists show up anywhere.” He winced. “Or the Princesses themselves.”
_________________________________________________________________________
-Storage Cabin-
A large box toppled over as a figure emerged from underneath it. A purple hoof snatched one of the cloth tarps covering the empty boxes and than wrapped the cloth around the figure's body. 'That wasn't easy, good thing I've been working on my stun spells, or I wouldn't have ever gotten past those guards.' Twilight reminded herself as she tip-hoofed her way over to the door. 'Oh I hope the Princess isn't too mad with me.' She bit her lip in minor fear.
'If what you said about her is true Mistress Twilight, I doubt she would punish you too badly.' Echo mentally shrugged.
“Tch, would you please stop referring to me as 'Mistress', it's really uncomfortable.” Lifting a hoof, Twilight patted herself clean of dust and slowly made her way past the multiple boxes and crates littering the cabin. After magically removing some wooden crates out of her way, Twilight peered through the cabin door's window. “Hmm nopony in the car right now.” She mused.
Echo frowned, not very pleased at the aspect of not calling Twilight her Mistress. As she had no body of her own, she couldn't physically interact with Twilight which left a gaping hole in her heart. Echo for the most part, wanted to be there for Twilight whenever she was feeling down and had no one else to turn to. Sure they could always talk things out, but there are only so many things that can be expressed through words that a comforting hug wouldn't be able to sooth.
The black-maned mare slipped into the empty train car and solemnly sat on one of the seats next to the window. “What am I doing Echo?” Twilight asked as she laid her head upon her crossed fore-legs.
Echo blinked-mentally-in confusion until she noticed Twilight's inner turmoil. 'What do you mean Twilight?' She asked.
“Oh I don't know...at first I would have never even questioned Princess Celestia's word, but lately I've started losing my faith in her. I don't even recall when I've began to feel this way.” Twilight wiped a stray tear that unknowingly streaked down her cheek. “I'm so confused Echo, Celestia was always my world ever since that...horrible day all those years ago.” A sob escaped Twilight as she remembered her dead parents.
An image of Night Light and Twilight Velvet appeared before Echo as she felt a pang of sadness from Twilight that attempted overwhelm her. She struggled to not break down into her own painful sobs. 'Oh Twilight...a-are you alright?' She asked in a small voice.
After regaining control over her emotions, Twilight wiped her eyes with a hoof as she sat up straight. “Y-yeah I'm fine. It's just that I'm taking a huge risk of angering Celestia by leaving Canterlot without her permission.” Twilight muttered with a wince.
'As I said before Twilight, I don't believe Princess Celestia would actually punish you severely. After all you just want to protect your friends right?' Echo asked briskly.
Twilight twirled a loose strand of hair that dangled in front of her face as she contemplated what Echo said. “...I guess you're right Echo, I'm not a foal anymore I don't need Celestia's permission for everything I do.” Twilight replied as she moved into a more comfortable position on the seat by laying down.
Hearing this, Echo if she had an actual head, would have felt a devious grin cross her face. 'You're very right Mistress.' She said not noticing the mental grin.
The lavender mare folded the cloth she was wearing over her head like a hood, than closed her eyes for a quick nap. “Echo, would you please keep an eye out for me? I'm going to take a short rest before we arrive.” Twilight asked before almost falling into slumber.
'Of course Mistress, whatever you ask.' Echo promised before expanding her awareness around the train car in case of intruders. 'No one shall awake my Mistress while she slumbers, as long as I'm here.'
_______________________________________________________________________
-The Crystal Empire, 2 hours later-
After a restful sleep in the back train car and carefully exiting the train all together, Twilight Sparkle made her way over to the market square of the Crystal Empire to see if she could find a way into the large Crystal Palace within the city. The light sound of her hooves clinking on the crystal street was all Twilight heard as she paced around the plaza. 'There's nopony here...than again if what Princess Celestia said about this place was true...' Twilight mused as she trotted underneath a large structure that -to what Twilight guessed- must of been the Crystal Palace. 'For some reason this place looks...familiar somehow.
'How so?' Echo asked as Twilight shoved open one of the doors into the Palace.
'I don't know exactly, it just feels like I've been here before.' Twilight rubbed her chin in thought as she leisurely strode the hall.
The walls and floors were completely made of solid crystal that gave off a shiny gleam whenever Celestia's sun shone the windows at the right angle. Tapestries of long forgotten ages hung proudly from the ceiling as Twilight past them, one such tapestry caught Twilight's attention. It wasn't too different front the others along the crystal hallway, the edges had a crystalline border that gave off a sheen like flowing water. But what really captured the unicorn's attention were the four figures displayed in the center of the tapestry, four tall ponies with both horns and wings. The first two Twilight easily defined as being Celestia and Luna, the only difference was that Celestia had a light pink mane and tail, the other two Alicorns were mares Twilight had never seen before. They were separated by a veil of black crystals on either side of the tapestry and away from both the images of the Royal Pony Sisters, the one on the left side had a pure black coat and dragon wings meanwhile her counterpart had a pearly white coat like Celestia's but her wings were huge compared to Celestia's.
Twilight felt a pinch of pain whenever she looked at the dragon-winged Alicorn, as she gazed closer at the image she could tell the mare's eyes were that of a dragon's as well. She ripped the tapestry from the ceiling, folded it neatly, than stuffed it into her saddlebags for later research. Twilight wasn't sure what compelled her to steal one of the tapestries, but at the moment she didn't care.
She heard hoof steps coming down the far-side of the hallway, so Twilight bolted into a nearby closet to avoid being spotted. A dainty voice echoed down the hall as five ponies trotted past the supply closet Twilight was hiding in. “These crystal walls are so divine!” Rarity gushed as the others -minus Fluttershy- rolled their eyes at the fashionista.
“Rarity, we're not here to window shop you know.” Rainbow Dash explained as she hovered above the other mares.
“Oh come on Rainbow Dash, you have to admit that the Crystal Empire is gorgeous!” Rarity pouted slightly. “Right Fluttershy darling?” She said turning to look at her shy friend.
Fluttershy hid behind her mane as gazed worriedly at Rarity. “Oh...I-I guess...it's very lovely.” She said in a quiet voice.
Applejack and Pinkie Pie were unusually quiet as they neared the front,Pinkie's mane was deflated slightly and Applejack kept shuffling her hooves in a nervous dance. Twilight frowned at this as her friends passed by, she felt bad about having them fulfill Celestia's mission on her behalf and due to the fact that she came to Crystal Empire without anypony's knowledge. But nevertheless Twilight was determined to see things through to the end, whatever the cost...almost.
Once Twilight's friends were out of earshot, she made her way out of the closet and tip-hoofed down the opposite hallway. A few meters down the hall Twilight noticed a couple of ponies that appeared to be made of crystal much to her surprise. 'So this is what Celestia meant by Crystal Ponies, although I didn't think she meant they were literally made of crystal.' Twilight was fascinated by the prospect of actually studying these ponies, but was stopped when she took notice of how down these ponies looked, almost like the spark of life was drained from them. They had bags under their eyes and barely reacted when Twilight accidentally bumped into one of them. “Oh, I'm so sorry about that miss.” She apologized.
The mare merely looked at Twilight and shrugged halfheartedly as she passed by. “Um...it's okay...” She tiredly replied.
Twilight watched her go and blinked in confusion. “That was...interesting.” She muttered as she trotted up a nearby staircase. She passed by a few more ponies -maids of the Palace Twilight figured- but they gave her little more than glance before looking forward again. Shaking her head, Twilight entered onto a large balcony overlooking the Southwest portion of the Empire. “Now where would this King Sombra guy be?” She thought as she squinted her eyes over into the distance. Since the Empire was situated in the center of Northern Equestria its borders were covered in a thick sheet of snow and ice as far as the eye could see. At the moment that's all Twilight could make out as she rubbed the bridge of her muzzle. “Celestia made it sound like he was a major threat to whole of Equestria if he took over the Empire again, but so far I'm not seeing any sign of him.”
Hearing some ruckus from below, Twilight peered over the railing and saw her friends running to and fro talking to every crystal pony they could find. “Info gathering I'd assume.” She guessed as she trotted back inside. After searching the palace for any sorts of her own clues, Twilight entered the throne room and saw Princess Cadence with her horn aglow. “Cadence?” She whispered.
The pink Alicorn gazed up from her hooves and smiled when she noticed Twilight trotting towards her. “Oh Twilight, you're here after all.” Cadence stood up with a small stumble but Twilight caught her mid-tumble in her magical aura. “Sorry, I'm a bit weak from keeping this shield up for this long.” She grunted as a spark of magick fell from her horn.
“I figured as much...here I brought some energy crystals from the mines under Canterlot. And don't ask me how I managed to get them, I'll just say it wasn't an easy task.” Twilight chuckled cheerily as she levitated seven hoof-sized glowing pink gems from her saddle bags.
“You seem quite happy about being in dangerous situations Twilight.” Cadence said with concern as she sat back in the throne. “And thanks.” She smiled with a thankful expression.
“Well, I don't feel as nervous about things as I used to.” Twilight sat down beside Cadence. “Except maybe disappointing Princess Celestia.” She added with a blush.
“I'm sure that's due to her literally being your mom now right?” Cadence asked as she wrapped a wing around Twilight.
Chucking nervously, Twilight leaned against Cadence. “Most likely.”
The two shared a sisterly embrace, just enjoying each others presence before Twilight spoke. “Anyway Cadence, these crystals hold magick energy within them, you know just in case you begin to run low on you're own magick well.” She explained while gesturing to the pile of gems.
“And again thank you Twilight, but I have to ask, did Celestia let you come here with your friends? 'Cause I heard she wanted you to stay in Canterlot until those cultist jerks were dealt with.” Cadence furrowed her brow in question.
“N-no she didn't I came here on my own volition.” Twilight mumbled with a firm tone.
Cadence raised an eyebrow. “Twilight, you have never went against her wishes before.”
“Well I'm a grown mare I don't need her to look after everything I do.” Twilight growled.
The other mare flinched back at Twilight's tone. “T-Twilight?” She whimpered.
Blinking, Twilight shook her head and hugged Cadence tightly. “Sorry about that I haven't been quite myself lately.” She stood up and began a trek back to the entrance of the throne room. “I...I'll see you later Cadence.” Twilight hurriedly said as she exited.
Cadence frowned with even more concern. “Oh Twilight.”
________________________________________________________________________________
-Market Square-
Crysta gleefully gazed over the foodstuffs before her; crystal crepes made with crystal berries, crystal pies, several glittering crystal apples and a warm smile from the Crystal Pony shopkeeper. When Crysta heard that the Crystal Empire had returned up north she was ecstatic. She left her group back in Ponyville -after letting them know before hoof- and took the train up north to see the glittering city herself. After arriving, Crysta cantered into the market first and decided to buy some souvenirs for her group back in Ponyville. Soon her satchel was halfway full of small trinkets and a few antiques. Her favourite was a globe made of several different gems that represented each continent and every major country.
Currently she was buying some delicious looking crystal deserts. “Thank you so very much miss.” Crysta thanked and smiled gratefully to the crystal mare before her.
“It was my pleasure Miss Feather, we don't get that many kind ponies like you around here these days.” The shopkeeper pointed out than returned the smile and perked up a bit, her coat regaining some of its luster. “It's so nice to have a follower of our late Queen here to spread her beliefs.”
“Yes.” Crysta agreed and put a hoof up in prayer. “May the Crystal One shine upon you this day.” She prayed before thanking the shopkeeper and continuing on to the Crystal Palace. Everywhere Crysta went the Crystal Ponies began to regain the shiny luster to the coats after she chatted with them, which made Crysta very happy. 'This is amazing, I had no idea that my blessing could have such a wonderful affect on others to such a degree.' She cheered with a bounce in her step. “But I hope he doesn't show up and ruin these wonderful ponies' lives again.” Crysta mused as she sat against one of the pillars supporting the palace.
The white and pink maned mare gazed toward one of the palace doors and saw a black-maned pony covered with a gray cloth wrapped around themselves as they snuck out of the palace. Her gaze hardened. 'Isn't that one of the cultists?' Crysta was never very fond of the Cult of the Dark Arts but she understood their own beliefs about how the world should be. But as she looked closer at the pony coming toward her, her features softened. 'No, that would be Twilight Sparkle, the Sun Goddess' protege. I wonder if she got our message?' She asked herself thoughtfully as Twilight passed her. “Miss Sparkle?”
Twilight jumped when she heard somepony call her name. “Um ye-yes?” She carefully asked as she turned around to see who had spoken to her.
“Ah it is you Miss Sparkle.” Crysta greeted Twilight and held out a hoof.
Twilight took her hoof and shook it with as much gusto as she could muster. “That is me, but who are you? I don't think we have met before.” She questioned as she lowered her hoof.
“Right, I'm Crysta Feather of the Holy Church of Crystal. I couldn't find you back in Ponyville so I left a message crystal with your young dragon assistant. Did you receive it?”
Twiight shook her head. “No I'm afraid there has not been any mail entering Canterlot Castle as of late due to Princess Celestia's intervening.” She explained with slight irritation.
“I see, well since you're right here in front of me I could give you the message in person.” Crysta smiled softly.
“What is it exactly? I have heard of the Church before since Celestia speaks highly of them.” Twilight pinched the bridge of her muzzle again as a headache started to form.
Sensing this somehow, Crysta put a comforting hoof on Twilight's shoulder and let her blessing loose a bit. “Feel better?” She asked gently.
“Hmm yeah, I do. I don't know what you did just now but thanks.” Twilight thanked Crysta as her headache went away almost as fast as it came.
“It's nothing really, just a blessing I received from the Church to help sooth the pains and worries of others. I never quite understood it completely but I'm glad to have such a gift.” Crysta rubbed a leg as her cheeks took on pink hue.
Twilight looked over the taller mare and looked away when she felt her cheeks flush. 'Oh my, she's quite...pretty.' She shuffled uncomfortably as she regained some of her composure. “S-so what kind of message again?”
“Our Matriarch wanted to meet the Elements of Harmony personally and to extend an offer of friendship between us.” Crysta put on a benevolent smile as her right hoof glowed and extended it to Twilight.
“Really?” Twilight asked, bewildered. At Crysta's nod, they once more shook hooves. Twilight felt a gentle wave of magical energy wash over her body as her nervous tension melted away. When it settled, Twilight felt like a million bits so she smiled brightly and hugged Crysta ecstatically.
Crysta was shocked at the sudden display of friendly affection at first but returned the hug nevertheless. 'This is...nice. Even though I'm in the Church as one of it's head preachers, I don't have many friends. But this simple hug sure is comforting.' She thought as they broke the embrace.
“Ahem, sorry about that I don't know what came over me suddenly.” Twilight apologized sheepishly.
“Oh no, no need to apologize, I appreciate the gesture Miss Sparkle.” Crysta quickly replied.
“Hmm, well I should be going now. World saving stuff and-eh other stuff.” Twilight stammered as she bolted down the road in a panicked hurry.
Crysta merely smiled and giggled as she headed inside of the Palace.
...
...
...
A dark shadow gazed inward from outside the barrier and laughed ominously at its impending return.