> A Warming Shade of Pink
>  by King Artermis
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> "1"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


This was your second visit to the Crystal Empire on your own. The First two were with the elements of harmony, and those two visits were rather hectic. The first time you were here you had to defeat an evil unicorn by the name of Sombra, or Sombrero as you liked to call him. Calling him that got you hit with a black crystal, giving you some manner of magic. Twilight told you that something would change on your anatomy to help you better control magic, but the only thing that changed was your eyes.

Your eyes now change color dependent on your emotions. Surprisingly, the colors don’t match with what you would think. When you don’t really have a strong feeling of any kind they’re normal, when mad they turn purple, when sad they turn green, when in love they turn red, and when confused they’re gold. When you’re embarrassed they’re pink and etc. etc.

So you get off of the train that has a brand new sparkling crystal station that is closer to the city then the remote station that was a couple miles from the city limits. You’re very happy that you don’t have to trudge through the blistering cold weather for a half an hour.

As you walk through the city a few of the crystal ponies wave at you, as they remember you stalling Sombra with your sharp sword, and even sharper wit. A few children rush up to you, and give you a crystalized flower. You smile to them, and put it in your breast pocket. The foals smile at you before running off. You chuckle at their childish ways before continuing on your way to the palace.

Yup, you’re here to see the rulers of this sparkling kingdom. They offered you a position as their advisor, and you gladly accepted, as you enjoyed being in the Crystal Empire, for it reminded you of your old home on Earth. No you didn’t live in a solid crystal house, but you’re parents gave you the family heirlooms, which hang around your neck at all times, the deep amethyst heart from your father’s side, and the opal pendant from your mother’s side.

These two items are the last things you have from your old home.

You stop in front of the two guards at the entrance to the palace, and they look at you before smiling, and letting you through. You thank them before you step onto the platform, and it teleports you up to the entry hall.

“How was the trip?” Asks a servant, which was there to greet you.

“It was long, but well worth it.” You tell her as she falls into step next to you.

“Princess Cadence has assigned me to be your personal servant during your time as the royal advisor.” She tells me. I smile to her.

“Well, I hope we get along swimmingly.” I tell her.

“Would you like me to take your bags to your chambers while you go see the Princess?”

“If you would be so kind?” You say before she lights her horn, and your baggage floats off with her as she turns down a hall, leaving you to yourself.

“I walk a lonely road…” You begin to sing with a smile on your face as you near the throne room doors. You finish the verse before a pony could hear you, as they would try to ask you what’s wrong. The guards at the door smile to you before opening them.

You walk in with a small smile on your lips… well, that is until you see Cadence. Her mane isn’t as perfect as it usually is, her makeup is a mess from tears, and she overall looks like shit.

“Cadence!” You shout before you run up to her. She looks up at you with a sleepless look in her eyes. In her eyes you see sorrow, and old anger, as well as a spark of happiness that you can only guess is because you’re here.

“Hey Anny.” She says with a weak smile.

“What in the name of the stars happened?” You ask her.

“I… no… just… not now please.” She replies. You look at her in concern, your eyes a pale blue.

“Come, let’s get you fixed up first.” You say before lighting your hand in your magic before teleporting to her chambers.

Cadence just hangs her head, as you go to get items to help her clean up. When you’re in her restroom you hear a door open, and being curious you listen with your magic as you gather some tissues and a few brushes for Cadence.

“Why are you here?” I hear Prince Armor ask, but something was off about how he asked it.

“Please leave me alone.” You barely hear Cadence reply.

“Not before you answer me.” Shining replies with what you perceive as venom.

Are they having marrage problems? You think to yourself. You hear a small sob, and decide now would be a good time to act. You put a neutral face on before opening the door.

“Anonymous, what are you doing in here?” Shining asks with anger in his eyes.

“Taking care of your wife as an advisor should.” You reply blatantly. He snorts before leaving the room, slamming the door as he left.

Once he was gone, Cadence bursts into tears. You quickly come to her aid, and embrace her. She wraps her hooves around you, and cries into your shoulder.

After ten minutes of this she pulls away sniffling. She gives you a small smile as thanks, and you nod in return.

“Now, let’s get you cleaned up.” You say before taking one of the tissues you brought, and dabbing at the makeup that streamed away from her eyes.

“So what happened to get this to happen?” You ask as you grab another tissue and start on the other side of her face.

“It was about a month ago when Shinning started to come back to the palace late. He said he was just making sure the guards were ready for anything. I took that as an okay reason since the frozen wastes have been unexplored for thousands of years. It was only a couple nights every other week or so, but then it happened more often, and he started to get irritable from my asking, so I left him be for a bit, and things just got worse from there.” She tells me with her voice quiet and wavering the entire time.

“Then one night, I decided to have him followed, so I asked one of our elite guards to tail him, then report back to me. When the guard came back *sniff* he said Shinning was rutting another mare.” Cadence falls into silent tears, and you quickly wipe them away, along with the makeup around her eyes. Being done with her face you grab a new tissue, and hold it to her nose.

She blows, and you wipe up what stayed behind with another tissue.

“Then things just got progressively worse didn’t they?” You ask her, and she nods. Anger brews in the back of your mind for one stallion, but that would have to come later.

You throw the used tissues away, before grabbing the mane brush, and start running it through her tri-colored mane.

“What would you do Anny?” She asks you. You pause as you try to reply.

“I would get them to leave before things became-” You then see the bruises along her sides and wings. Your eyes turn a pure glowing blue, and your magic flares.

“How many times has he hit you before I got here?” You ask with a voice full of malice, and death.

“Please don’t hurt him.” She tells you.

“How many times?” You ask again.

“I-I-I lost count, but I hurt everywhere.” She tells you quietly. You nod before closing your eyes, and searching for Shining slut before teleporting to him.

Before he could say anything you deck him in the throat before taking your other hand, and picking him up by his horn.

“WHAT. DID. YOU. DO!?” You shout at him before popping his wind pipe out so he could speak.

“Buck off.” He struggles out. You quickly reverse your grip before bringing him up over your head, and down onto the crystal ground as hard as you could.

“TELL ME!” You scream at him.

“Go to Tartarus.” He say weakly. You narrow your eyes before you start adding pressure to his horn. The Crystal ponies either new what he had done to Cadence, or they were too scared to act, but you didn’t care. Shining was starting to try to get away from you, but your grip was locked, and he wasn’t going anywhere, at least with his horn.

“Tell me or you lose your magic forever.” You say with a flat voice. He glares back, so you add even more pressure to his horn, hearing popping sounds. He winces at the pain, but stays adamant in his resolve. Seeing this as his only answer you take your other hand, and push on top of the other.

The ponies around you gasp as Shining’s horn snaps from his head. He screams in pain before passing out.

“Guards!” You shout. A few crystal guards come up to you.
“Lock the Prince up somewhere only the Princess and I can see him. He’s been abusing her.” You tell them. All the ponies gasp again before the guards grab Slutty Armor, and taking him away. You take a deep breathe before letting it out, and teleporting back to Cadence.

“Is it over?” Cadence asks you. You nod.

“Yes, he’s in the jail right now, but he won’t be needing magic anymore.” You tell her before opening your hand to show her his horn. She gasps before looking down to the carpet.

“I guess it was necessary.” She says before heading to her bed.

“I would like some rest. Please come to get me when you go to speak with him.” She tells you. You nod with a small bow before heading to the door.

“Sweet dreams Cadenza.” You say before shutting the door behind you.

> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	You make your way to the dungeon of the crystal palace, but are stopped by a large squad of guards.
“Advisor sir, we are here to speak for the guard.” The most decorated guard says.
“I’m listening.” You tell them, crossing your arms over your chest.
“Sir, we all feel as though you were too harsh on Prince Armor, and we would like an explanation as to why we put him in the dungeon.” He tells you.
“Ah, then follow along, and I’ll inform you.” You say before turning around, and heading to the barracks. The Guards follow you after a few seconds of hesitation.
“The reason he is in the dungeon is because he has abused Cadenza many times before I arrived, and the reason why I was so harsh is because, Uno: I absolutely loathe those that harm their spouse in any way. Dos: if he still had his horn would anyone of you, out of the entire guard, be able to arrest him? No I didn’t think so. Tress: He was also sleeping with another. I may not know the full story, but those three reasons are the why he is there. I will need more time before I can get anything better.” You tell the stallions that follow you into the barracks of the palace.
“And what of Princess Cadence?” A female guard asks.
“I have been comforting her, but as of now she is resting in her chambers. I have to ask though. How long do you all think this had been going on?” You ask them all. None of them answer.
“I won’t bite, go ahead and tell me.” You say, trying to get some information.
“None of us knew this was happening sir.” The lead guard tells you. You bring a hand up to your chin, and think on this.
“That paints a bad light on the guard, but I need details. When did things start to seem off between them?” You ask, “A mare’s view on this would help greatly.” You add after a few seconds.
However before any of them could say anything, a servant is rushing towards you.
“Advisor! Quick, the Princess is in trouble!” The servant shouts. This catches everyone’s attention immediately.
“Where is she?” You ask.
“She was last seen in the gardens before a flash of green… flames consumed her, and then she was gone.” The servant says.
“I was just with Cadence, and she decided to rest.” I say with my eyes narrowed. I then run the green fire through my memories, and my eyes widen.
“Guards, I need you to search the palace for Cadence, as well as take me to Prince Armor. We might have a crisis on our hooves.” I say quickly before turning to the servant.
“I want you to gather every pony in the palace into the ballroom, don’t let anyone leave without two others.” I tell her. She nods before galloping away.
“I want this palace in lockdown ASAP.” I say loud enough so the guards all heard me before turning to go to the dungeons.
Two of the guards follow you before the rest move to do as you ordered.
“Advisor, what do you think has happened?” the guard to your left asks you.
“Changelings may have abducted Shining Armor, and replaced him with a spy. This would explain his complete 180 in personality, and also why he was abusing Cadence.” You say as you all enter a teleportation chamber.
“Prepare yourselves for teleportation.” You say as you push magic into the dungeon button before everything turns white for a few seconds, then turns to torch lit darkness.
You all move onwards to Shining’s cell. The guard to your left opens the solid iron door before gasping at what he saw. You push him aside lightly before you yourself gasp at the sight before you.
What you see is a male changeling that had a crown on his head behind what remained of its horn.
“I knew it.” You mutter before entering the cell, and letting the other two guards in before closing the door.
“How long?” You ask before looking to the royal male changeling.
“A few days, and it was all going so well before you showed up you stupid hairless ape!” The changeling hisses at you.
You back fist the insect before looking back to the guards.
“Please find me a few nails, and a candle.” You tell the guard on your left. He blinks a couple times before moving to get the items you asked for.
“Advisor, what are you going to do, torture me?” The changeling asks with a smirk. You chuckle at the thought.
“No, I’m going to crucify you, and make sure that the only way you are let down is after both Cadence, and Shining Armor are returned in the condition I saw them last time I was in the Empire.” I answer it as the guard returns.
The Changeling’s eyes widen in horror, and I smile a dark grin.
“Release him from his binds. He walks to his cross.” You tell them before grabbing the unlit candle, and nails. Once the changeling was on the ground you light your hands, and teleport to the crystal gardens before using your magic to make a jet black crystal cross. The changeling is now shaking like a leaf, but you could care less.
“Now, if you tell me where the rulers are, and how to get them back I will tie you up there with rope, but if you stay silent I won’t be as forgiving.” You whisper into the changeling’s ear.
“I will never betray my wife to you.” He answers. You sigh before looking down to the seven nails in your hand, and smile at their length.
“Then I’m sorry for your limbs.” You say before grabbing him in your magic aura, and placing him up onto the black cross.
You light the candle, and hold the long nails in the candle’s flame, and wait until they were glowing a bright orange. Hot enough to burn like hell, but not enough to become soft.
“Guards look away before I do something that will haunt me for the rest of my life.” You say as you float the glowing spikes up to the limbs they would be driven through.
Before you release the force needed to plunge the nails into the changeling, there is a bright green flash of flames, and Queen Chrysalis appears with your two friends right next to her in her magical grasp asleep.