> To Build  an Army
>  by Tree Time
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: A Nighttime Intrusion 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I woke up to the tap of a rock being thrown at my window. Begrudging, I rolled out of bed to investigate the intrusion. I pushed open my bedroom window to see a golden coated mare standing on the path outside my home with a second rock in hoof. 

“Shooting Star!” she called to me in loud whisper. 

Without really thinking I replied, “what do you want at this hour Carrot Top?”

“What?” She said in supersize. “Who are you talking to?” She glanced around the empty street.

“You,” I replied, taking a moment to get a better look at her flank. Oops, that's not Carrot Top's mark. This mare had a mark of a sun rising over a field of yellow squash. I tried to internally rationalize my mistake. In my defence she did look a lot like Carrot Top. Maybe she could've been Carrot Top's long lost twin or something. Noticing that I was just staring blackly out the window into space, I shook my head, pulling my attention back to what was going on in front of me. 

She looked at me a little confused, “my name is Golden Sunrise, and I am not from this town. I came here looking for you.”

Taken aback, I paused. Then asked, “why couldn't this wait, and more over, why me? Why not Twilight? She lives in the huge crystal castles just on the edge of town. Helping ponies in need is kinda her thing.”

“I know, I know, “she said shaking her head. “But you have something she doesn't.”

“She is the Princess of Magic, what could I have over her?”

Her face went dark, and she looked at me with piercing eyes. “Twilight is the Princess of Friendship. I know you know the real Princess of Magic, and I want to meet her.”  

I put my head in my hooves. “You just want in, don't you. I see I am going to have to explain somethings to you.”

She beamed at me, “of course.”

I let out a sigh and closed my window. As if studying under Twilight was not bad enough. Now I was getting random mares knocking at my home before sunrise. I reached over to my bedside table and snagged my magic glow stuck. I gave it a shake, causing it light up. Unicorns will never know the many drawbacks of being an earth pony at night. With the glow stick in mouth, I made my way downstairs and opened my front door. She walked in before I even had a chance to invite her. 

“So this the pad of Shooting Start, Twilight's first high level student,” she remarked, looking around at my drab dimly light kitchen. 

I set the glow stick in a holder on the table and hit a switch by the door. It struck an oil lamp that hung from the ceiling. “Take a seat,” I offered, pointing to one of the chairs that sat around my kitchen table. 

“Okay, she replied cheerily.

I joined  her. “So what do you mean “real princess of magic” there are only four alicorn princesses.” I paused, waiting for her to finish gazing around my room. “You know friendship is magic, right?”

She nodded. “Yes, but I mean.... okay, maybe not magic magic, but earth magic. I need something that Twilight and Celestia and the others can't do.”

I rolled my eye's, “and what is that?” I asked.

“Well,” she grinned, “I need to transit to another world.”

This took me some time to process. Finally, I settled on the most resalable question I could think of, “why?,” I asked.

“To save Equestria of course,” she stated with complete sincere certainty.

“Golden Sunrise, right? lets say I entertain your claims. One big sticking point for me thus far is, what in the great wide world of Equestria can I do that Twilight and gang can't? Earth magic or not. What world ending threat could be out there that they can't deal with?” 

Her look hardened, “ War. They aren't prepared  to fight a war. I know this, because they had their chance to do something about  the changelings, but they just flung their problem on to somepony else and forgot about the whole thing.”

I looked sheepishly at the table, “well, I am sure they had good reason not to go after them. Truth be told, I have only ever met one changeling. She  lives out in the Everfree Forest. I call her Steve, she was at Cranky's and Matilda's wedding the other day. 

“I don't know who any of those ponies are,” Golden replied uncertainly.  

“The ones getting married were donkeys.”

“Whatever, you must have heard of the changeling attack on Canterlot?” she asked carefully. 

“Yes.”

“Okay, good. When the changelings were defeated and flung to far ends of Equestria, they ended up regrouping out in the wilds. They fed off anyone who showed them even a bit of kindness. They have been growing stronger, and running a muck over other non-pony races that lack the strength and unity to oppose them.” Her voice trembled with turbulent emotion.

I glanced uncomfortably down at the table. “Okay, so lets make sure I have this strait. You have come to me before sunrise, in a bid to have me ask some mythical pony that I somehow know, to help you against a horde of changeling foes that threaten Equestria. Your reason being that Celestia and Twilight missed their chance to track down and banish the changelings back to whatever plane they came from when they had the chance, and now you can't trust them. This judgment in spite of it totally being the kind of thing they do all the time. And to top it all, your solution is to ask this mystical mare of mine to help you find the means seek help from another word.” I shook my head.  “The best I can do is to talk to Twilight about this in the morning. I am sure she'll be happy to help.” 

Her eye's started to well up with tears, “I'm sorry, I can't put the lives of my friends and family in the hooves of a princess that got her wings from a prideful matriarch's desire to showboat. I know more about you then you think.  If you don't help me, I will tell both of them your secret.”

I looked at her sharply, “and what you that be?”

“That you have magic. Powerful magic. The lost arts of earth pony magic. Something that was forgotten in the time before recorded history.” She spat, tears still in her eyes. “And what's more, you have enough skill with it to match most unicorns in a contest of pure magic output.” 

I froze, my thoughts raced. “Are you messing with me?” I asked. “Earth ponies with magic? I know you don't want to see Twilight, but this is a little out there. No one would ever believe you, and any hope of getting help would be lost.”

A calm came over her. I could feel a surge of magic power build within her. She brought her hoof down on the table. The force shattered it, hunks of splintering wood flew in all directions. With the same flowing motion, she spun her leg to kick me through the mess of wooden shards. I new the look in her eye. It was the same as the one Twilight described seeing in Maud's eyes when she gowned a huge boulder to pebbles to save Pinkie Pie. -- The topic was still an ongoing part of my studies. -- My reflexes were just fast enough to dodge out of the way of her kick. I landed on all fours, turning to face my attacker. My body was tense, waiting for her next move. We locked eyes, the table fragments raining to the floor around us. 

Swiftly, she slipped forward. Her hooves digging into my wooden floor. Her attack was too fast. She fired a strike with her right hoof, aiming for my shoulder. The air rang with the power of her blow. Reflexively, my body braced itself.  Her hoof connected, but rather then send me flying, it bounced harmlessly off. Waves of white light ripped out from the impact. She was pushed off balance, her front leg cracking off at an unnatural angle. Swiftly, I swept her other front leg out from under her. She fell, her broken leg waving like a wet noodle. I placed my two front hooves on her shoulders, pinning her to the the ground. 

She was still, her sides shivering. Her tearful eye's welling with pain and sadness. “Earth ponies don't have magic? Ya, right,” she whispered.

I lifted my hooves off of her, looking down at her broken leg. “How did you know?” I asked.

She weekly met my gaze, “the way you speak about magic when you give theory lessons. You are not vary subtle about it. I mean, if one knows what they are looking for.“

“Ya, everypony just assumes that earth ponies can't do magic. It's weird enough for them that I know so much about magic to begin with.” I sighed, “guess my secrets out, want me to fix that leg of yours?”

“You can do that?” she asks supersized.

I felt panic fill me, “you mean you didn't already know?”

“I knew you had magic like I do, but I never dreamed you could do things like heal another ponies broken leg.”

Well that was a big slip up, I thought to myself as I moved over to her and placed my hooves over her broken leg. She gazed into my eyes grinning as I draw the earth magic from the ground and poured it into her leg. My spell worked, weaving the fabric of her flesh and bone back together. I withdrew my hooves. “There, hows that?” I asked.

The golden mare got to her hooves. She tenderly put weight on the leg that had been broken only moments before. She turned, beaming at me, it's as good as its always been.” she replied ecstatically.

I smiled weekly, “glad you like it.” There was a long pause, “So, you won't tell anypony about this will you?”

She looked at me craftily, “only if you help me. We wouldn't want your magic to be the thing that causes old tensions to rise between the earth ponies and unicorns. There is really enough discordance around Twilight's coronation. The last thing anypony would want is to further upset the established divisions of power.”

“Alright,” I said begrudgingly, “I will indulge you.”

She hopped back on onto her chair and sat down. “Okay,” she began, using the motion of her hoof to punctuate her story, “I used to live in a small town much like Ponyville. It's named Equine Junction and we are almost entirely earth ponies. We are known to grow some of the best grapes in Equestria.”

“Ya, I think I have heard of your town from a tipsy Berry Punch at a party once. You know her by chance?”

“I don't. I had a squash farm. I worked it with my older sister Green Sunrise. Not too long ago, some strange ponies came to town. They looked normal but seemed to lack a special talent despite having their marks. We didn't figure out what they were till it was to late. Once we had invited them into our homes, they struck, imprisoning everypony. Even my sister.  They had dulled our towns senses, making sure we where too week to put up a fight. 

“I looked deep in to her eyes, and put my hoof out, “I am going see if you speak truthfully.”

She nodded, “I understand.”

I placed my hoof on her heart and let a pulse of my earth magic flow through her body. Her coat stood on end as the pulse of gold light rolled over her. The room briefly filled with a bright gold glow before the magic dissipated into the ground. 

She shivered, “did I pass?” she asked.

I nodded, “yes you did, but that just brings up the question of how you made it out of your village?”

“Okay, well, you see... I have this connection with the earth. I get these twitches that let me know something is going to go wrong. I tried to worn Green, but she refused to believe me. She was asleep when the attack happened. I had to leave her, or I would have been taken, too.”

“You are not the first pony I have met that has a sense like that.” 

“Really? There are others?”

“I know of one. Her name is Pinkie Pie. Everyone in town knows about the Pinkie Sense.”

“I have heard of her. She is one of the Guardians of Harmony.”

“Was one of  the Guardians. They all had to give up their elements. An unfortunate turn of events given what changelings do when they take over a place. From what I know, they in prison the population and feed on their love until the prisoners die of exhaustion.”

“So you know what will happen to my sister, to all my friends, if I do not get them help.”

“And you don't trust Celesta and Twilight to get the job done after they let them go the first time.”

She smiled deviously, “I know where I can get an army, all I need is a bridge, and I know your teacher knows how to make one.”

“You mean Twilight? She doesn't know. The closet she come is writing about it in a fictional story about ponified apes attending high school. The last known pony who could make portals was Star Swirl, and even he couldn't really choose what words they opened to.”

“No, I mean The Smith of Elemental Harmony, The Earth Mare, The Scribe of Destiny, the pony this land was named after, the alicorn known as Equestria.”

“How do you know of her?” I asked, taken aback. “There is no known record of her existence.” --Having spent a lot of time with he book horse herself, I felt vary confident in that statement.--

“I have a teacher, too, you know,” she replied cheekily.

“Who? I have travelled all over this land, and never found anypony who even knew there were more then two founding alicorns.”

“Stardust is my teacher. She is a travailing earth pony with a electric blue mane and tail. She has a white coat. Kinda like a female you, now that I think about it. That's kinda cool.”

“Ya well, I am use to it. From a distance ponies have mistaken me for Twilight's brother or sometimes even a mare unicorn known as Vinyl Scratch. I have no horn. How can that even happen?” I took a deep breath. “Sorry about that,” I let out a long sigh, before calmly continuing, “I have never heard of Stardust. Has she ever been to Ponyville?”

She grinned, “I think so, she likes to attend all the Star Swirl the Bearded events that happen around Equestria. She has some great costumes, truly period authentic.”

I smiled to myself thinking how Twilight might react to meeting a fellow Star Swirl courseplay enthusiast. “What is Stardust's mark?” I asked.

“An hour glass.”

“Like Dr. Turner and Colgate?” I say, my excitement building.

“I don't know those ponies.” she replied apologetically.

“Well it was worth a short.”

“Truth is, I haven't seen Stardust for over two years. The last thing she told me was to seek the seemingly magic less magic user. That's what put me on your trail. After reading your book on an earth ponies bond with nature. I knew you must have some of the same skills as I do.  That was enough for me. I was actually planning to make my way over here after this years harvest. My plans just kinda got bumped ahead.”

“Well, if your teacher told you about Alicorn Equestria, I guess there is no reason to hind my knowledge of her from you.”

“So you will take me to see her?”

“You just won't let up will you? Sure, given what you already know, I can't see a reason not to. However, after you have met with her, if she does have a solution for you, she will be telling Celestia of your plans. My teacher has made if vary clear that Celestia is the ruler of Equestria, and she will not take any action that would undermine that.”

She looked a little crest fallen, “That is not what I hoped to hear, but I understand why she would likely say that.”

“Cheer up, at least you made it this far. You are the only pony I have ever taken to see my teacher. That must be worth something?”

Golden moved to the door, “we should be going. Time is not something we have on our side.”

I followed,  stepping out into the cool  early morning air. “My teacher lives under the Tree of Harmony in the Everfree Forest,” I explained to her, pointing in its direction. Without another word Golden started walking in the direction I had indicated. Her stance was cold, and her movements stiff. “What is your real problem with Celestia?” I asked trotting after her.

“She is not as pure as you might think.” 

“I am sure, everypony has things they wish they could undo, but you are acting like there's something specific that she has done that will compel her to thwart your plans.”

“Well, just thing about it. How would you feel if you were in charge of the safety of a nation and some random earth pony came to you and ask to open a portal to another world. This, to bring an army into your kingdom? Plus alicorn princesses Cadence and Twilight.”

“At least the first is a far point, but your actions suggest there is more to your story then just a fair assumption to a possible reaction, and some personal feelings towards new Equestrian leadership.”

“Maybe, maybe not, I am not totally thinking strait about that right now,” she replied in a deflective tone. 

We walked in silence, heading deep into the Everfree Forrest. I couldn't help the sneaking suspicion that she knew something about Celestia's past that she was not ready to share. I wish I knew what it might be. Then, I might be able to coax it out of her. Her teacher had told her about mine, so there was cause to think that her reaction to Celestia had a solid grounding in truth.

Thankfully, we made it all the way to the tree without any monster attacks. The tree had a faint glow in the night, the elements still in the form of the six marks of the ponies that had held them. I moved behind the tree, gesturing for Golden to follow me. I placed my hooves on the rock slab behind the tree, letting my magic follow into the wall. Golden let out a little squeak as the stone began to run like cool water. It flowed up like a curtain being drawn open. On the other side were a set of stone stars leading down into the earth below.  Together we made our way into the darkness. With no light, I had to use the side of the tunnel wall to guide my decent. “You doing okay?” I asked.

“Yep.” she replied with an excited tremble in her voice. Her anger at Celestia seeming to have been pushed aside for the time being.

I felt my hooves find level ground. “Wait,” I whispered to Golden.” “Equestria are you there?” I called out. My voice echoing through the cavern.

My call was met by the roar of a rushing waterfall. Dim light filled the room from the horn of a stone grey, winged mare. Her mane was clear blue with crests of white froth, flowing out like waves of rolling water. She looked old, even by alicorn standers. Her coat looked like river stone, complete with flecks of green moss growing in her fur. Her mark was the of tree of harmony with no symbols on its trunk. The elements of harmony in their original gem state. With a voice like crashing ocean waves she spoke, “This is about the village. And you would ask me to send you to a place of lost hope to find new friends?”

Golden Sunrise's eyes widened with a excitement. She looked like she might pee herself at the overwhelming emotions she was feeling from meeting this long forgotten alicorn. It took her a few moments to collect herself enough to nod, “yes, I need to get help, and I need to go far away to get it.”

Equestria nodded, “yes, but not far, just not near. I can send you to help some ponies that needs it. They can tell you that which you do not know you do not know.”

“But what of Celestia?: I asked concerned. 

“She sent you a scroll and a message. Equestria replied, floating a scroll over to me that had been sealed with Celestia crest. “The message goes, “not all paths need to end in death.” 

A little dazed, I replied, “I will keep that in mind.” 

“Give the scroll to Celestia when you get where you are going,” Equestria  instructed, smiling. “She may not always do the right thing, but she always works to be better then she was.” She then walked over to the pool of water that filled the right side of the cave. “Look into the water, and you will find the reality of your reflections,” she said, grinning just ever so slightly.

“It was nice meeting you, Equestria,” Golden said quickly, before dashing over to the water and looking down at her reflection. 

I took one last look at my teacher, she nodded. I turned, and with the scroll around my neck, I looked down into the water. A near perfect reflections looked back. I stood there watching it for what must have been many minutes before I looked up at Golden again. “I don't think anything happened,” I said, tuning to look back at Equestria. 

> Chapter 2: War's Toll 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equestria was laying at the back of the cave, her mane was still.  Black crystal jutted from her body in small scattered patches. The faint glow from her horn slowly growing dinner. “Equestria!” I cried out, rushing to her side. “Did the spell do this to you?” She smiled weekly as the light from her horn went out completely. The room passing to darkness. I moved to put my hooves on her in a last ditch attempt to help stop the dark flow of magic that was crystallizing in her body. 

“Stop!” she commanded. Even in her weakened state her voice still rooted me to the spot. 

“What happened?” I asked. I felt Golden  nudged me in the side as she felt her way over. 

“Sombra, and the death of harmony.” Equestria replied.

I froze, realizing we were both vary close and yet vary far from were we had just been. I could feel Golden vibrating beside me with excitement. Slowly I asked, “you know why we are here and where we came from?”

“Yes.”

“Then what must we do, and what must we know?”

“Twilight is dead, and the elements drained of there power by the sinister forces of the Crystal Empire. Without Twilight to stop him, Sombra was able to make a return and has taken over much of Equestria. His dark crystals have spread to the roots of the Tree of Harmony. Even after Discord removed his seeds from the ground, the elements still had to be returned to slow the advance of his dark crystals.

“How did they convince Discord to do that?” Golden asked.

“They didn't, Discord removed them to spite Sombra for rejecting his offer to join the Crystal Empire.”

“Where is Discord now?” I asked cautiously . 

“Trapped by Sombra in a crystal that feeds off his chaos magic.”

“And Twilight?” My voice was soft.

“Killed by the changelings at the royal wedding. The whole city had to be abandoned. Many ponies lost their lives that day. It was the attention on retaking the city that prevented Celestia from stopping Sombra before he could cement his power over the Crystal Empire again.”

“What became of the changelings?” Golden asked worried.

“Exterminated, with Twilight's death something snapped in Celestia and she ordered that they be purged from Equestria. Only a handful likely still remain.”

“You couldn't bring Twilight back?” I asked. 

“I tried, they brought her body to the tree where she sleeps now. With Celestia plunged into rage, and war gripping the land, my powers of harmony were to week to save her.” There was silence before Equestria spoke again, “to finish what you came here for you will need to save Sombra from the black spirit that dwells within him. The Sombra that you know was a living construct created with an enslaved soul from the Crystal Empire's long dead home plane. When the last of crystal ponies fled to Equestria, the dark spirits that had consumed their home world followed. The spirits were determined  to feed off every last crystal pony till all had been consumed. When the last few survivors managed to transport themselves to here, the idea of Sombra was born to infiltrate and bring about the end of the Crystal Empire for good. However, even after Sombra succeeded in taking over the empire, the harmony of the land was till to strong for the dark spirits to invade. So they used Sombra to wage war on Equestria, thus weakening the land until their plans could be made manifest.”

“I thought that changelings were known as dark spirits.” Golden said, sounding a bit confused. 

“The creatures of which you speak are just another race that has fallen to the darkness. They were once peaceful and loving just like you ponies, although that was another time and another place.”

“So all we have to do is save Sombra from this internal darkness that is controlling him?” I asked.

“Yes, do that and you will have your army.”

“Do you know how we can save him?” I pressed, feeling that this might turn into a vary long quest if I didn't get the information when I had the chance.

“Find a crystal pony by the name of Winnow Wind. She knows how to save him. She is a slave that works in the mines under the empire. Celestia has the rest of the information you need. Winnow will just make the difference for him.”

I was reminded of Celestia's  message, “Not all paths need to end in death.” I nodded. Then, I remembered she likely couldn't see me in the total darkness. “Where is Celestia now?” I asked. 

“The scroll you have will help you find her. Ponyville will be a good place to start looking.”

I nodded again, then let out a slow sigh. “Goodbye, and thank you,” I said, feeling a little embarrassed at myself. 

“Bye, it was nice to meet you,” Golden chipped in.”

“Good luck my friends,” Equestria whispered, as Golden and I made our way out of the cavern. 

I moved slowly up the stairs, making sure to count each step as I went. I had bumped my head into the stone door one too many times before. I stopped, Golden bumping into me. I reached out my hoof and touched the stone slab blocking the way out. A pulse of light flashed from my hoof as I drew the stone open. The dim light of dawn flowed into the narrow passageway. The walls shimmered with rainbows that formed from light passing through the Tree of Harmony. I stepped out into the new dawn light. It took us a few seconds to start to notice some of the differences between where we were and where we had been. This tree's elements where in their native gem form, and the tree was bare of Luna's and Celestia's marks. The tree looked, some how frail, its limbs wilted. Although that might have just been a trick of the dim light. At its base was a curled stone statue of Twilight Sparkle. Her eyes closed and body wounded. I stepped over the roots of the tree and placed my hoof on her back. I had almost forgotten what she looked like without wings. Sleep well, dear friend, I thought to myself before turning back to Golden. “You still on board with this plan of yours?” I asked, closing the rout to Equestria's sanctum.

She nodded, “I'm really excited. It's sorta been a dream of mine to do something like this for as long as I can remember.” 

I jested at her with a perplexed look, “I am glad you are having a good time. Shell we be off?”

“Yeps” she replied gleefully, leading the way back to Ponyville.

The sun was fully up by the time we reached the outskirts of town, “was it just me, or did that sunrise feel a lot longer then normal?” I asked, turning to her.

She replied knowingly,“I bet all the fighting has weekend Celestia's magic. Most likely we will see lots of changes like this. That's what Stardust told me anyways.”

“Stardust told you of other worlds?”

“Yep, that's how I came up with this plan.”

I was about to press her further about this mysterious teacher, but my attention was pulled away by the sight of Ponyville. Most of the houses were boarded up and looked like they had been sitting empty for some time. The streets were vacant and there was no other ponies in sight. “Lets check Sugar Cube Corner,” I suggested, as we made our way through the town.

“You know somepony there?” Golden ask curiously.

“Pinkie Pie. If she is there, I am sure she can help us find Celestia.” We rounded the last street corner to see pealing paint and boarded windows.

“Hey, look a sign,” Golden pointed out, jabbing a hoof at a wooden letter board on the front door. She rushed up to it. “Gone to the city to join the war effort, closed until further notice.” she read aloud. 

I shook my head, “if that is the case, I can only think of one pony that might still be here. Lets go,” I said, starting off in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. 

“What's over there?” Golden asked, cantering to catch up to me. 

“Sorry I keep forgetting you're not from Ponyville. Applejack lives there, her and her bother run one of the largest apple farms in Equestria 

“Ooh, I have heard of them. I always wanted to see their operation. “

“Well, I guess now you might get your chance.” 

We didn't run into a single other pony the whole way out to Applejack's farm. As we made our way up the small hill to her house, the smell of industry grew thicker and thicker in the air around us. When we reached the top of the hill we could see out over the orchard. It looked sickly, as if somepony had been using unicorn magic on it. A large industrial looking grey brick building had been raised where the barn had once stood. Large blooms of brown smoke filled the sky above the farm, belched from two large stacks on the building's side. The whole scene felt wrong in so many ways.  

“This is not really what I had imaged,” Golden said slowly as she looked around grungy farm.

“This isn't what it looked like back home.” I replied slowly. “There we go,” I pointed to the Applejack's house, “lets see if we can find Miss Apples and get some answers.” Golden nodded and we made our way up to Applejack's door. I knocked.

There was a long pause before Sweetie Belle answered, “Shooting Star? What are you doing back in Ponyville?”

“Ummm,” I stuttered. I had forgotten that I might have a counterpart in this world. My mental gears ground trying to find a solution to her question. 

“He's Shooting Star's twin bother,” Golden said jumping in.

Sweetie Belle gave me a long suspicious look, “Is Applejack home?” I asked, trying to change the focus as fast as possible. 

“She is out working in the field, she'll not be back in till lunch. I would invite you in, but as I don't know you... I have to ask Granny if it would be okay.”

I nodded, “Of course.”

“Granny!” Sweetie Belle tolled, trotting off into the house, “We have some ponies at the door who want to come in and visit.”

I turned to Golden. “Nice save. My mind blanked that twins can have the same mark as their sibling.”

Sweetie Belle came back a few monuments later, “Granny says that you're both welcome to come in. There is still some food left from breakfast if you would like. “

“Thanks,” I replied feeling the hunger of having missed my morning meal. “I think I would like to take you up on that offer.”

“And you?” Sweetie Belle asked, looking at Golden.

“Food would be great. I have heard about this farms apples. It would be great to try some.” 

We followed her into the kitchen were Granny was sitting with the other two crusaders around the breakfast table. “This is Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo. My name is Sweetie Belle.” She said, looking pleased.

“Nice to meet all of you,” Golden said beaming. “My friend here is Comet Star, and I'm Golden Sunrise.” I glanced at Golden, puzzled by her name choice.

“Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres,” the crusaders sang in unison.

My mind's gears started grinding again. Apple Bloom's mark was a clustering of white apple flowers in full bloom, Sweetie Belle's flank had a silver bell with a light purple quaver note on it. The bell was tied with a pink bow. Scootaloo had a scooter with a yellow lighting bolt on its deck. My mind hurt trying to comprehend the meaning behind this discovery. I gave up and just nodded to them in reply. 

“Okay, now you three, “Granny said looking around at the three fillies. “Time to run along and get back to your chores.”

“Do we have to?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Ya,” Scootaloo added. “We never get to see any ponies any more.”

Granny grinned craftily, “at least let them finish eating. Then, maybe you can all show them around the farm.” She winked at  me, “who knows, you two might run into old Applejack for your troubles.”

“Okay!” the crusaders all chimed, before scampering off out that back kitchen door.

“Come on you two, sit, and eat up before it get too cold.” I sat down and started to load my plate with apple  pancakes, sliced  apples and apple jelly. Golden joined in,  finishing off the last to the pancakes. Granny grinned, “Applejack will not be too pleased that we gave away all this food to total strangers, but she needs get her heart back in it. Its my food too and I can share it with whoever I want.”

Golden swallowed her mouth full of apple, before asking, “Granny Smith, what happened here? I always heard of this place as beautiful and rich with life, but this farm seems near death.”

“War happened my child. The need to increase  harvests drove us to make difficult choices, and the land suffered the results.” I could see the sadness in her old weary eyes. It's just me and Applejack now. Big Mac left to join the cause after we lost the battle of Blossom Bridge. That's the real reason for all the changes around here. It take more then one pony to run a farm right, but when one pony is all you've got, things are not ever going to quite work out right.”

“Can't you hire help for harvest” Golden asked, surprised. 

“We try, but the help around that's of working age is Durpy Due, and shes worked to the bone taking care of all foals that have been left orphaned by the war.” A silence hung in he air for a few seconds. Golden seeming to wilt a little from what she head just heard, “It's okay,” Granny said looking Golden in the eyes, “we get by, no sense in you making our problems yours. Bet you have got plenty of your own to think about. One day we will win this war, and everything will get back to how its always been. Till then, we just have to do our part and keep the hope of a better life alive. “

I nodded, “Golden you about ready to head out?”  She nodded  vigorously  in approval. I looked back at Granny Smith. “Would you like some help cleaning up?”

“Not in your life, you young fellas got better things to do then my work. If you take it away from me I'll not have much left to do. I am to old to be good for much else these days. Being an earth pony has its drawbacks when the earth is not right with itself.” she stopped, putting her hoof to her chin, “Comet Star you say?” she asked, looking at me.

“Yes,” I replied, a little faster then I would have liked.

“On second thought, I have something you could do for me after all.”

“Sure,” I replied feeling a little uneasy at agreeing to do something I did not yet know. 

“If you run into Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie or any of the other guardians on your travels, could you tell them that the crusaders got their marks a few weeks ago?”

“Yes, I can do that.”

“The crusaders were a big part of life here in Ponyville before the war. I think it might bring them some small joy to know they have finally found who they are.” Granny smiled knowingly before calling out, “Apple Bloom,” she hollered, “could you come in here. It's time to show our guests about.”

Apple Bloom came galumphing in, “Yes, Granny. I'm steady and ready to go.” Granny nodded in our direction. “Come with me you two, I have so much to show you.” We followed Apple Bloom out back to were Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle where working their way through the washing. “We got more important thing to do now,” she proclaimed proudly. “We got to show these two nice ponies around our farm.”  

Her friends dropped what they where doing instantly and shot over to us. “Come with us, we'll give you the VIP rundown.” They said in unison.

“Lead the way.” I said  as I glanced over at Golden.  And with that we were off. The three of them leading us down the winding rows of apple trees. “How did you all get your marks?” I asked curiously.

Scootaloo was the first to chime in, “it was really unexpected,”she began, before being interrupted by Apple Bloom.

“Ya, we had just heard that Scootaloo was clinically flightless. The doctors said that her wings would never grow to a point where she could fly like a normal pegasus.”

“Apple Bloom this is my story.”

“Sorry, I am just still excited is all.”

“But, ya, Apple Bloom is telling the truth, I was told I would never be able to fly. It was in the darkness of that moment that I found the courage within myself to carry on, and keep going even though everything seemed hopeless. That is when I got this,” she nodded to the scooter on her flank.

“Isn't it cool?” Apple Bloom chipped in excitedly.

“It is indeed.” I replied, before looking over at Apple Bloom, “ and how about you?” 

“Oh, well I got mine at about the same time. I found Applejack crying in her room. I came in to ask what was wrong. She told me that she was losing hope that we could ever win this war, and that everything we were fighting for was just  meaningless violence. I told her, sure as spring rain us ponies would find a way to make things right, and the land would bloom again with soft new flowers from the labours of our hard work. It seemed to really help her as she stopped crying and gave me one of the biggest hugs I think I ever remember getting from her. And that is really saying something if you knew my sister. But after she let go, this appeared,” she waggled her rump. 

I smiled, even in a time of hardship and suffering these little foals still manged to keep an up beat outlook on life. “And you Sweetie Belle?” I asked.

“Well, I got mine at about the same time as my friends, “I was singing a song to myself about what we would do when all our families were back in Ponyville. Granny overheard what I was singing and said it was an inspiration to her to hear what the future might hold. In that moment something just made sense inside me and I knew what I was meant to do. The next thing I knew, I had my mark.” 

Apple Bloom grinned, “ya, we were working so hard to find our talents that we overlooked what made us special all along.”

They turned to us and with hooves around each other proclaimed in unison, “our ability to inspire others.”

“I am courage,”  Scootaloo said smiling.

“And I am inspiration,” Sweetie Belle chimed in.

“And as for me, I am optimism,” Apple Bloom concluded beaming proudly. 

I chuckled, glancing over at Golden who was smiling along with me. 

“Hey, what you all doing out here?” Applejack's voice echoed through the trees.

“We where just telling our new  friends how we got our marks,” Apple Bloom said quickly.

“Vinyl, Carrot Top is that you?”

“I let out a long sigh, and looked over at Golden. She had a big smug smirk on her face. I could tell she was amused, even if she had no idea who Vinyl was. 

“No, it ain't” Apple Bloom called back.

“Well, what do you know,” Applejack said as she got close enough to see that I was indeed not Vinyl. “Does Granny know were you three are?” She asked looking at Apple Bloom. 

“Yes, she told us to give these two a tour of the farm.” Apple Bloom replied looking unsure.

“Ya, they came all this way just to see you.”  Scootaloo add, “we were just showing them some Apple hospitality.” 

Applejack turned back to look at me. “Then, what brings you to Ponyville. Good news, I hope.”

“That's not Shooting Star,” Apple Bloom whispered to her sister. 

“Course it is, just look at that mark. A pale blue eight pointed star with a comet tail. Plus how many other stallions do you know that can be mistaken for Vinyl?”

“I am afraid your sister's right, although I am related. We are twins.”

“He never told me about no twin. Then again, I never really knew him all too well. Guess it must be odd having the same mark as your bother. Only other ponies I've seen like that is the two twins that use to run the spa in town. But hey, it's still nice to see a new face around here.” She turned back the the crusaders, “you three run along now. I'll see what this fellow and is friend need. You all have work that needs doing I'm sure. 

“Nice to meet you,” they said as they reluctantly headed back towards the farm house. 

“So, what brings you two all the way out here?” She asked, “and sorry, I don't think I caught you name miss.” She said, raising a hoof to Golden. 

“My name is Golden Sunrise. Nice to meet you.”

“To answer your question, I need to deliver a scroll to Celestia,” I pointed the scroll around my neck. “I know you knew my brother and thought that you would be a pony I could trust to help me.”

“Well, I am not sure I'm going to be able to help you much. Since Twilight died I've not really had anything to do with Celestia. Best I could say is to take the train to Snows Edge. From there I'm sure somepony will know were to send you.” 

“Thank you, Applejack.” I said turning to leave. 

“If you see my breather, Big Mac, tell him I say hello from home.”

“I will,” I replied. 

“You think she'll be okay?” Golden asked as made our way to the rail stain back in Ponyville.

“I think so, but I'm starting to feel a bit more invested in our goal then I would like to admit to myself.

Golden smiled and playfully bumped into my shoulder. “See, I knew you had a soft side.”

I sighed and shook my head, “we still need to remember that this is not our world. A little detachment is important  if we are to remain focused.”  I explained as we walk through the empty streets.

“Ya, and  little compassion is important if we want their help” Golden said with a knowing look. “Plus your teacher totally sent you here, so you might as well enjoy it.”

The station looked just as run down as the rest of the town. I saw a few ponies milling around on the platform. A thick sadness seeming to cling to them like some invisible dark cloud.  I didn't really recognize any of the them. I moved up to the ticket window, “I need travel for two to Snows Edge,” I said. 

The ticket mare behind the counter looked at me, “Do you have your military service form filled out? She asked.

“No”, I replied. “I need to deliver a message. I nodded to the scroll around my neck with the Celestia's  official seal stamped on it.

She leaned over the counter and took a long hard look at the scroll.“Wait here,” she said, moving off back into the building. Presumably, to ask somepony about what she was to do. She was back in less then a minute. Here are your two tickets to Snows Edge. There will be a military officer waiting there for you. They will be the one determining if you can see the High Commander.”

I nodded in understanding, and took the tickets with my hoof. “Here,” I said, passing one to Golden as we turned and headed for the train. “Looks like we made it just in time for the midday departure.” Golden smiled, taking her ticket in her mouth. 

“Tickets please,” a rather old looking male pony with a sky blue coat and long grey mane asked. We presented him with our tickets and boarded the passenger car.

The inside looked a bit different from the bright and cheery colours the train had back home. The seats were faded and the fabric ripped. The whole car felt well used and under maintained.  Golden sprung up onto one of the seats.” You think we could start to show me some of your magic on our trip? We will be going to a war zone. I would like to be prepared.”

Her tone took me a little off guard. She seemed to be genuinely excited to see conflict. And what's more, it felt like she had been planning this for a long time. A lot longer then her village had been invaded for anyway. I glanced around the car. There were three other mares sitting in it with us. I had seen them in passing back in my world, but hadn't had a chance to get to know them. They all had a look of a fear and conviction in there eyes. I shook my head. “I can't risk making a scene. I will show you some of what I know when we get to Snows Edge, if there is time.”

“Well you're no fun.” she prodded me, “you need to let go of your detachment. It's drawing more attention to us then magic ever would.”

My detachment?” I asked as the train lurched into motion, “why? Is it my cool and calm demeanour you are taking issue with, or is it the fact that I don't dump explanation for everything on the slightest provocation?”

“No, its just you don't seem present. You are looking at everything from a such removed perspective. Kinda a downer.”

I gave her a hard look, she smiled, “Golden, please remember that not just this morning I was planning to go and read some books with Twilight. The highlight of my day was going to be contemplating who was higher on the pecking order, Spike or me. Now, I'm riding off to war in another world. Personally, I think I am doing pretty good with being grounded in the satiation.”

“Okay, you have a far point, but still,” she said gesturing out the window, “doesn't this get your blood pumping?”

“Sorry, but who are you?” I asked, “I never really had a chance to ask. I just sorta went  along with your plan at first because you black mailed me, and then because Equestria seemed to be in on it. But now that I might not ever make it back home, I'm starting to rethink the blind trust I have placed in my teacher.”

“I am Golden Sunrise. I live in  Equine Junction. My mark is a golden sun rising over a field of yellow sun squash. Its meaning translates to “a golden harvest, or harvest of great worth.” I got my mark when I realized that the normal life I had been working so hard to fit in with was not the life I had really been growing. I had been thinking the seeds I was planting were for something normal, when fact they were for something I couldn't have imagined. I know you're not a farmer, but to do know what sun squash are?”

“Sun squash?” I replied, “they are similar to zap apples in that they have a bunch of odd magic related rules around growing and harvesting them.”

She nodded, and then smiled, “the perfect metaphor  for my special telnet.” 

I was a little stunned, “that's a lot to take in.”

“I know, but you asked. Anyways, after I got my mark I met Stardust and she showed me all sorts of stuff about earth pony magic and the ways of Equestria. She told me that other worlds were real, and that they could be accessed by magic portals. She told me that long ago ponies could even make such portals, but in current times they all have been destroyed.”

I let out an inviolability laugh remembering Twilight's Equestria Girls stories. “Way to crush somepony's dreams,” I replied with a chuckle. 

She gave me an off look, “I don't get it. What's so funny?”

“Sorry, just something Twilight showed me.”

She rolled her eyes playfully, “if you say so.” She paused, “anyways, Stardust told me that someday something like this would happen, and I have been preparing for it ever since. That's why I'm cool with all this new stuff. This is like a great release for me. I finally get to save my home, and fulfill my roll in the greater world around me.”

“And did Stardust tell you that I would be part of your grand adventure?”

“Not exactly. She told me that I would need to find a master of earth pony magic, and that they would be hiding in plain sight.”

“”Master, well that's high praise. I'm not sure I would call myself a master, because of, you know, unicorns.”

“Well your good enough for me.”

“Okay, if you say so.” I said smiling. I was trying to hide it, but I was pleased to have somepony be able to acknowledge my many years of hard work. The rest of the train ride passed in relative silence. We made some small talk, but nothing really of memorable note. It was nice to have a friend that knew my secrets and that I could talk to about my life if I wanted. I knew I wasn't  ready for that just yet, but the possibility filled me with hopeful optimism. I thought about asking more about Stardust, but I really couldn't see myself finding the right questions to learn anything I didn't already know. 



> Chapter 3: Ponies at War
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Long after sun set we disembarked from the train into the cold winter air of Snows Edge. In my world it was a small earth pony town that sat on board of northern and central Equestria. The night moon shown bright through the dark cloudy sky. I stopped, seeing a face I recognized waiting for us on the platform. Rainbow Dash was standing there, although it looked like she had seen better days. She was wearing a  military looking padded combat vest. The left side of her face was badly scarred.  A large chunk of her ear was missing, and her left wing had been replaced by a metallic prosthesis. My eyes light up. Her prosthesis was technology I had never seen before.  “What happened to you?” I asked, before remembering that in this world I had never met her before. 

She gave me a long look, eyeing the scroll around my neck. She gave no acknowledgement of my question. “I was sent here to collect you. I am to take you two to the Princess at once. Any questions?” 

“No,” I replied weekly. Golden shook her head.

“Good, we are going by air. I hope you two are not afraid of heights.”

I didn't really have much time to process what she was saying before two pegasi swooped in and plucked Golden and myself high into the air. Dash shot off the ground behind us like a firework. The small town vanished far below us. She  flew out ahead as we made our way further north, passing over the high ridges of the jagged Crystal Mountains. The range overlooked the northeast boarder of the Crystal Empire. The flight was cold, the wind howling. Thankfully the trip was short.

They set us down on a small flat patch of ground outside of a cave entrance. Two of Celesta's royal guards were stationed at ether side of the cavern's mouth. “Come with me,” Dash ordered.

We followed her into the cave, the guards watching us with a careful eye. I felt my body tingle was we walked under the cavern's yawning upper lip. I glanced over and Golden.  My expression asking, “did you feel that too?” I caught her eye and knew she had.

Dash let out a short shorting laugh, “Ha, well guess you're not changeling spies. Good news for you. I was half hoping I would get to have some fun rather then sit through another boring meeting”

“Changeling spies?” I was about to ask, but then remembered how well the last question had went. I kept the thought to myself. My mind beginning to wounder how Steve was doing. She was most likely dead, but who knew. It made me kinda sad to think that she was never likely given a chance in this world. My internal ramblings were cut off as we arrived at a set of large iron doors. Two royal pegasi guards flanked the entrance on ether side. Both had ice blue crystal tipped spears and wore the same kind of combat vests as Dash. 

Dash strode past them and pushed the doors open like she owned the place. “Our aces have arrived,” she proclaimed loudly. 

I glanced quickly at Golden as the light from the room poured out into the dim hallway. A large ball of magic light flouted above a big round stone table. The table's surface was covered by a detailed magically projected map of Equestria. Around the table sat a number of faces I recognized from Ponyville. Celestia herself sat large and imposing directly across from the doorway we were entering from. Her face looked tired  and her body battered. The light had gone from her eyes, replaced by the heavy burden of constant battle. To her left was Aloe and Lotus, the spa twins. There manes and tails had been cropped short and their once soft coats were hard and bristly. To Celestia's right was Pinkie and Maud Pie. Maud of all of them looked about the same as she did back home, but Pinkie... Her mane and tail were flat and her coat was dull in colour. All save Celestia were wearing combat vests. On our side of the table were three empty seats. Dash trotted to the one beside Maud. She sat and looked at us impatiently. I got her intent and polity made my way to sit. Golden followed suit. 

I looked up at Celestia, feeling as if I was shrinking under her gaze. “I have a massage for you.” I said, pulling the scroll form around my neck and setting it on the table. It clipped through the map projection casing the whole thing to go a little staticky for just a moment. 

She plucked it up with her magic and unfurled it, reading it slowly. The minuets seemed to slow to a crawl as she read. My heart rate slowly increasing with passing moment. Finally she finished and looked back at Golden and I. I held my breath. She smiled and rolled the scroll back up, placing it on the table in front of her. “My vision has come to pass, we now have all the pieces to end this conflict.” I could feel the room grow excited. “Stay your exuberance my children, we still have to put each of our parts together. Aloe, Lotus, could you report your progress on cracking the enemy's barrier spell.”

“Indeed Princess,” Aloe replied, “just like a hard knot in a ponies back, Sombra's barrier can be naturalized with the right earthy touch. We have found ways to crack the personal one's carried by his troops with the right strike. However, the one around his city would still take us to long to breach without being detected.”

“But if you had help you could bypass it, say for a small group?” Celestia asked.

Lotus was the one to answer, “If they were of our skill or greater, yes.”

“How about you Maud?” Celestia inquired, “what have you found from the rock samples gathered from outside Sombra's barrier.”

“They are rich in silica, beryllium, aluminum and oxygen among others. I would say they are likely mining them for food, and weapons.” Maud replied in a flat monotone. 

“Dash,” Celestia said, turning to look at her, “what are the odds of getting a group of ponies to the edge of the barrier just before Luna raises the sun?”

“Me and my team could do it, what do you have planned?” 

Celestia smiled, “patience commander.” Then turning to me, “Now, what does our earth mage know about bring down Sombra?”

I took deep breath. “You are not going to like it,” I said, trying to adjust their expectations. “We will need to use chaos magic. The kind Discord uses. A direct hit from that will separate his light and dark sides. Once separated a hit from the elements of harmony will resolve Sombra to his normal good minded state.”

The ponies in the room sifted uncomfortably before Dash blurted out, “why can't we just kill him?”

I gave her a stern glance, “Sombra is a being of shadow for one and can't be killed by normal means, and for another he is an innocent. Like Princess Luna he is himself a prisoner of a dark force. Killing him would not solve the long term problem, only delay its return.” I looked to Celestia for affirmation that she agreed with what I was saying.

She nodded in acknowledgement, “more death will not heal the hurt of our land. However...” she said, turning back to me,” as you likely know, we no longer have the Elements of Harmony.”

I nodded, “but you still have the crystal heart, if the heart is resorted at the same time as Sombra is split into his bright and dark sides. The love from the heart and the crystal ponies would banish his darkness for as long as he remained within the hearts aura. In time he could grow strong enough face it and vanquish it for good.”

Celesta shook her head, “that is too much trust to place in Sombra after what his had done.” She paused for a moment. Then, asked me thoughtfully, “what would happen if the heart was to be destroyed rather then replaced?”

I had to think about this. After a few long minuets of contemplation I replied, “if it was focused the right way it would work in place of the elements. However, I don't know enough about crystal pony magic to begin to guess how such a focus could be created.” Then it hit me, the memory of what Equestria had said, “But,” I blurted out with excitement, “I do know of somepony that can do such a spell.”

The room looked at Golden, she shook her head. “It's not me,” she answered, grinning. 

“Her name is Winnow Wind, she is a slave in the mines under the Crystal City. I know she will have the missing part to this plan.”

Celestia smiled, “that just leave you Golden Sunrise, student of Stardust. What additions might we have missed?”

Golden went vary still. After a few seconds her ears flopped, tail waged, and left hoof shivered. She opened her eyes, we will need to makes plans for some unexpected guests,” she said.

Celestia nodded, now for what I know. When my sister and I fought Sombra long ago. He had the crystal heart stored at the top of crystal citadel at the centre of the Crystal City. It is the most secure place from crystal ponies.”

The eight of us began to disuses the details of our attack plan. By the end we had come together on what I felt was a plan that had a strong change of success.  We would be dropped off outside the barrier surrounding the Crystal City. Aloe, Lotus Golden, and myself would bypass the barrier. Once in, Pinkie and Maud would tunnel their way into a mine shaft below ground. We would enter the mine and locate Winnow.  With her in toe we would make our way to the armoury. Once there, we would gather the necessary tools for Winnow, as well as get the chaos crystals we would need from Discord's crystal prison. At about this time, Celestia's forces would have arrived outside the city in an attempted to draw Sombra out. Once armed, we would make our play for the heart. Sombra would likely be alerted at this point and try to intercept us. Aloe, Lotus, Golden, Pinkie, Maud and myself would hold him off while Dash retrieved the heart. Celestia would do her best to pursue Sombra as he moved to stop us. Aiding us in our fight  against him if possible. Once Dash had the heart, we could cast the spell, save Sombra, and end the war. It was a good plan, but hinged on a player that we had not met yet. I was putting all my faith in Equestria's words. I truly hoped I had not misunderstood them.

“One last bit of good news,” Celestia said as we where about to leave. “Just before this meeting I received word that Tirek had been apprehended by Luna and her Night Guard. We can all rest a little easier tonight knowing he is safely back in Tartarus.”  

I could feel the room relax at this much welcome news. “This way you two,” Aloe called, beckoning us to follow her. She lead us down a set of tunnels to a passage with a line of small nooks carved out of its walls. Each cove was filled with some basic bedding. “This one's yours,” she told me, “and that one,” she pointed the cove next to mine, “will be for you Golden.” I will be by to wake you for breakfast before we depart. If you need it, the latrine is the door at the end of the passage.”

I watched her move down the corridor to a few coves over and slip into her sleeping nook. I looked over at Golden, “well, we made it. Tomorrow we'll be in an active war zone.”

“You nevus?” she asked playfully.

“Yes, aren't you?”

“Na, I knew what I was getting into. You however,” she smiled, “I felt first hoof how you can defend yourself. You'll be fine.”

I chuckled, “okay, I guess its goodnight then.” 

She smiled back at me, “night.”

I slid into my surprisingly comfortable bed, and I let myself relax. It didn't take long for me to fall into a  much needed deep sleep.

> Chapter 4: Dreams on the Wind
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I found myself standing in a dark passageway. Around me, I could hear the sounds of hooves clashing into stone. I moved forward, pulled by a will not fully my own. I began to gallop down a passageway that seemed to run on forever. I saw a light, it was coming from a stone on the ground. I reached my hoof down to touch it, but as I did it transformed into a young looking crystal pony. She had a white opal coloured coat with a long flowing rose quartz shaded mane and tail. Her flank was marked with a single stalk of amber wheat. 

“Winnow!” I exclaimed  as if I knew her. 

Her coat came to life with crystal shine as she began to rush to the sound of my voice. Before she could get to me, chains sprung from the ground and lashed out at her. They bound her around her body, pulling her to the ground. Her body still shining, she pointed up. Above her was the crystal heart, a sneering image of her reflected in it, staring back at her. I watched her vanish, whispers of shimming light flowed from her body into the crystal heart. Without thinking, I jumped at it, pouring all my intention into saving her from its imprisoning confines. My hoof struck the heart sending bits of it raining down around me. I tried to catch the shards as they fell. They twinkled like a soft chime each time a piece hit the ground around. 

Then I was out in an open wasteland. The sky was dark, and the ground was dim and sandy. I looked up to see Winnow standing here, her body glowing with crystal light. She playfully pocked my noise with her hoof. Then she was gone and Luna was standing over me. I knelt down to pay my respects. She opened her wings and jumped into the air. I watched her fly high out of sight into the gloom of this weird dark place. I felt something jab at my side. Then I was awake.  
> Chapter 5: To Find a Crystal Pony
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Wake up sleepy, its breakfast time!” Golden said poking me in the side with her hoof.

“Alright, alright. I am up,” I said rolling to my hooves.

“Great, this way.” she replied, leading me down the hall.

We made our way through some long tunnels. The place was alive with other ponies. Some heading the same way we were. Other armed with spears and armour moving to locations unknown. The whole place seemed to hum with a stillness as each of us prepared for the fight ahead. The mess hall was dim, and not vary flashy. Large bales of hay were stacked to one side of the room. A line of ponies formed leading to them. I waited my turn and loaded a large bawl full of the sub par looking dried greenery. I looked around the room for somepony to sit with. I was feeling a little bit out of place among all this these military ponies. My eyes landed on Pinkie Pie. She was sitting with Maud in the corner of the room. I made my way over to her. “Hey, Pinkie how's it going?” I asked sitting down next to her. 

She looked at me briefly, then back at her hay.

Maud put her hoof on Pinkie's shoulder. “What have we been taking about?” she asked, looking at Pinkie softly.

“Hello,” Pinkie mumbled without looking up from her bowl. 

“She has not been the same since her friend Twilight died,” Maud explained. “She always did take things rather hard.” Maud blinked slowly before taking a bite out of the rock she had sitting in a bowl in front of her. “Would you like some?” she asked, noticing my attention. “It's limestone.”

“No, I'm fine with my hay.”

“Okay,” she replied.

“You making some new friends?” Golden asked joining in. 

“I guess you could say that,” I replied, Checking over at the hour glass that was hung over the entrance. There was still a little time before we had to report to the launchpad for deployment. 

“Say, Pinkie. Granny Smith asked me to tell you that the crusaders got their marks just a few weeks ago.”

Pinkie's ears perked up, but the rest of her stayed dull. “That's nice,” shy replied softly.

“Hey,” Golden asked, changing the topic. “You want to go get our combat vests?”

I finished scarfing down the last of my hay. Glad for any reason to remove myself from this increasingly awkward situation. The hay for its part at least was supersizing good given what it looked like. “Catch you two in a bit.” I said, giving a half wave to Pinkie and Maud. 

We stashed our bowls in the dish bucket and made our way to the armoury. The unicorn there was a sweet looking mare. She had a yellow and red mane, yellow coat and red and yellow sun mark on her flank. “These vests are designed to act as an energy diffuser to reduce the effectiveness of the weapons used by crystal ponies,” she explained. 

We suited up, and made our way to the deployment zone. “Did you know her?” Golden asked.

“No, she just reminds me of a somepony Twilight once mentioned.”

Soon, we were standing in the cold blustering wind just before dawn's first light. Dash was prowling in front of us, giving a pep talk before our departure. “...and no matter what, we must succeed. All of Equestria is counting on us. If you have any miss givings leave them on this platform. Today is the day Celestia's light will once again rain over Equestria!” Dash stamped her hooves, “Who's with me?!”

The rest of the group each stamped the ground with force. I was a little late to the punch. I glanced around, but no one seemed to have notice. 

“Get in position,” Dash command. First light still below the horizon. I readied myself for what was to come next. “Fly!” Dash roared. The group of pegasi that had been standing behind us leaped into the air, a hook on the underside of their vests latching to a ring on the back of ours. They pulled us up with them, soaring out high over the mountain tops. Our shadows were lost on the rocks. The dark sky   hiding all definition of the ground below.

Far off in the distance I could see the yellow dome shielding the Crystal City. It glowed brightly against the darkness of the morning sky. We cleared the mountains, and dove down, cutting up just a few meters from the ground. I felt my stomach lurch as we skimmed out over the lowlands that surrounded to the Crystal City. All around the land looked like it had been warped by some chaotic force. Huge spires of black crystal randomly jutted out from the ground. We soared through the spires, keeping low the the ground. Despite the danger I couldn't help feeling exhilarated. I was soaring through the air, and what's more, I was finally going to put all my combat training to some real use. 

Rounding the last pillar, we set down just over a small ridge near the west side of the Crystal City's barrier. The first light of dawn began creeping over the land. The pegasi that had been carry released the claps, dropping us as our hooves met the ground. They then sped back into the air to begin their secondary objective.

Maud wasted no time. With hooves on the ground she began to paw the earth. “Here,” she said looking at Pinkie.

The two of them leaped into action, sending a spry of rock fragments into the air as they borrowed into the earth.  Aloe and Lotus took up clearing the shower of pebbles that collected from the tunnelling sisters. Dash stood watch pressing her body to the ridge. Her eyes spying the dome for signs of activity. Golden and I joined with the former spa ponies to help clear the loose stones from the ever growing tunnel.  It didn't take long Maud to poke her head back above ground. “We have hit a mine shaft.” she reported slowly. “We can move forward with phase two.”

Dash motioned for us to follow Maud into he tunnel. One by one we slid our way into the dark cavern below. Dash was last to enter, lading in the mine shaft behind me. The tunnel was illumined by the dim glow of the  barrier.  Its presents cutting off our progress towards the Crystal City. “Your up,” Dash said to the four of us. 

Aloe took the lead and moved to the glowing yellow force field. She place her hooves on the shields surface. I could see it ripple as she began to unmake its spell lattice. Lotus was next up, moving in beside Aloe and adding her focus to the task. The two of them worked in perfect unison, kneading the field with their hooves. Slowly a small opening began to form, that was my cue. I moved in and started to force the opening wider and wider. With a hole now big enough of a pony, Golden slipped through. Once on the over side she pressed her hooves to the field, taking some of the stain off the rest of us. Pinkie and Maud were next to slid through the opening, followed closely by Dash. Now it was time for the tricky part. The three of us worked ourselves slowly through the opening, taking careful pains to keep the shield stable as not to alert anypony to our infiltration. 

The group let out a sigh of relief as my back hoof cleared the barrier. Slowly, Aloe and Lotus allowed  the shield to close. With the barrier restored, Dash began to lead the way down the tunnel. The path illuminated by the small vine of glowing crystals ran along the ceiling. I could feel a light breeze on the back of my mane from the air being drawn along by the vine. “Maud,” Dash asked, has your assessment of the mine's probable layout changed?”

“It has not,” Maud replied. Dash grinned.

The tunnel opened out into a large domed cavern. Five other shafts lead out in different directions like spokes from a central wheel. In the centre of the cavern were four metal chains. I expected they were attached to elevator platforms that were used to being up and lower ore, personal and equipment. I could feel the air flowing gently through the central shaft, following the crystal vanes that lined the walls. Their was a grinding of metal. One of the chains stared to move. I watched as a mine cart full of crystal ore was pulled up past our group. Dash smirked, “we jump on it as  it passes by again,” She explained. “When we reach the working level, we take out the guards and snag the prize. We then ride one of the unoccupied lifts back here and have ourselves a little debrief. After we figure out the best to use the asset, we can move on to our next objective. Everypony clear?”

We all nodded.

Dash turned her attention back to the lift, “Here it comes.”

Quickly we gathered around the edge closest to the descending platform. As it passed, Golden, Aloe, Lotus, and I jumped into the dirty mine cart. Pinkie and Maud held potion waiting for Dash's signal.  It was cramped. I was at the bottom with Golden scrunched next to me. On top of us were the flower twins, pressing their bodies low to ours to avoid being seen prematurely.  I managed to twist my neck enough to watch the remaining three grow small as we were lowered down into the dimly lit depths of the mine. I noted the number of other levels passing. Each looked almost identical to the one we had left from. The sound of chipping stone came into earshot as the platform past the thirteenth level and came to a rest on the lowest floor of the mine. Without hesitation the twins shot from the cart, I felt Golden give a grown as they used her like a springboard to make they entrance. There was silence form outside the cart, punctuated only by the sound of chipping stone. Golden righted herself and clambered off me onto the mine floor. I got up and hauled myself from the cart. The scene was bleak.

A line a crystal ponies were chipping away at the cavern walls. They seemed to be slowly rounding it out like the floors above. Four long tunnels lead out from the main room. Some of ponies were chained to large carts that they pulled along smooth stone tracks. All the colour had faded from their coats. They looked broken, beaten, and exhausted. Suddenly, I heard two thumps from behind me. I nearly jump with shock. I whirled around to see Pinkie, Dash and Maud standing on the ground beside the cart. The chain attached to the platform we had arrived on swag slightly. 

“So which one his she?” Dash demanded.

I gave a silent prayer to Equestria in hopes that Winnow was not in some other  location. I looked around. The crystal ponies didn't seem to even register we were here. They continued working with dull indifference. I  scanned the room quickly. My eyes flashing over each of the twenty or so ponies. Not one of them  matched the one in my dream. “Shes not among these ones,” I reluctantly reported.

“Diane, I want you to take him down the first tunnel, we will hold the platforms. Single if you need backup,” Dash instructed.

Pinkie saluted in acknowledgement. I just had time to nod. She moved stealthily over to the first tunnel. Her actions may have become militarized, but she still hadn't fully shaken the Pinkie Party Prance. I followed, wounding if her moments were even necessary as none of the crystal ponies had even batted an eye at us since we arrived. They seemed to work without reason. To my surprise there was no sign of task masters or guards of any kind. They just worked like they knew nothing else. 

Suddenly from the tunnel opposite form me, a mare pulling a cart fill of raw crystal ore came onto our party. Her coat was shimmering with crystal shine. She reacted to us instantly, bucking her load and making to run for the nearest platform. Dash was on her in a flash. I didn't even  have time to utter “stop,” before Dash struck. She landed on the back of the crystal pony with a sickening crack that pinned it to the ground. The helpless pony tried to fight back, but Dash had her and was not letting go. “That's her,” I called out in panic. Seeing the shine start to fade from its body.

Pinkie and Maud shot over to it and secured the pony's legs. Dash climbed off. She flicked some clear viscus fluid from her hooves as she trotted over to me. “Shes all yours,” Dash said with a sense of self satisfaction. 

I rushed over to her. “Pinkie, Maud get off her.” I ordered fiercely. They complied. “Winnow, do you know me.” 

The pony smiled, “the one from my dream.” her words were fading.

I felt my mind clear, my attention going to her back. Dash's hooves had left a deep crack in her soft crystal body, and her vital fluids were quickly leaking out. I let out a deep sigh of frustration. I leaned over Winnow and placed my hooves on her back. With the same motions I used to enter Equestria's sanctum, I moved the crystal rock of Winnow's body. I fleet her melt together.  The light of her coat slowly returning. 

I exhaled deeply, letting myself sag backwards onto my rump. I had been unable to draw much magic form the land. All I had given her had come from my reserves. I felt weak and a little dizzy. I was trying to catch my balance when she leaped on me like a crashing wave of loving endearment.  I felt her nuzzle and lick my face, softly nibbling at my ear. I understood her intent, but her mannerisms where vary different from what I was use to. I genteelly tried to nudge her off me. She yielded and rolled off on to her hooves, ears upright and focused in my direction. “Winnow, we need your help to stop King Sombra. I was told you had knowledge on how to use the crystal heart to end his shadow.”

She nodded, giving a clearly uneasy glance at the other members of my team. 

Every one of them, other then Golden, looked to be in some degree of shock. Golden just grinned. I could swear I knew what she was thinking. I gave her a disapproving glace. Then, looked back at Winnow with hopeful eyes.

“Hit the heart and free the hearts locked inside,” she whispered gazing around the room at the other crystal ponies still going about their work. 

“Do you know the spell?” I asked 

She nodded, “Do you know the heart?”

I shook my head, “you will need to be the one to do it.”

“Oh, but do you have it for me to work with?”

I shook my head again, “that's what comes next, but I must ask. How are you shiny, and talking?”

“I woke up last night after my dream, and then I was happy again, and now I can be here.”

I looked back at Dash, relief  pouring through me. “Dash, your mouth is still open,” I said, sounding concerned.

She sorta composed herself, “How?” is all she could say.

“That was like totally amazing!” Pinkie squealed colour flushing her fur. 

Maud smiled slightly and blinked slowly.

“Magic,” I replied to them, still a little cross with Dash. My mind hadn't worked out if what had happened to Winnow was her fault or just bad circumstances.

“You will have to teach us, yes?” Aloe and Lotus asked in unison. 

“Later, I think,” I replied, still feeling weak. “Commander Dash, what is our next move?” I asked, trying to push attention away from my magic.

Dash shook her head as if to clean it. “Winnow,” she asked looking down at the submissively postured crystal pony. “Do you know the way to the armoury?” 

“I do,” Winnow replied her attention half distracted by the yellow gem stone hanging around Dash's neck. 

“Then how do we get there from here?” Dash demanded. 

I watched Pinkie make a funny disapproving face at her brashness. I couldn't help but smile in spite of myself.

Winnow pointed up the mine shaft, “At the top there are two ways. One goes to the refinery, the other to the weapon rooms. The weapons are guarded. You must know, right?”

“We made sure we would have what we need,” Dash grinned stretching her hind legs. “Now, does one of the weapon rooms have a large monster that is held inside block of crystal?”

“Yes, it is a beast of many beasts”

“Could you take us there?” Dash asked, seeming to soften her tone just a little. 

“I can lead, but not fight much. Little food, and hard work do not go well with fighting.” 

Maud opened a pocket on her vest and pulled our a blue gem. She offered to Winnow. Winnow's eyes lit up. Hungrily she gobbled down the shiny stone. Maud smiled. Winnow affectionately bumped her muzzle into Maud's. Maude just continued to smile. 

Dash jumped into the air, “we will split into to groups.  Aloe, Lotus, Diane, and Maud, you are group A, combat. The rest of you are group B, support. Just try and stay out of our way.” Dash pointed to a platform that was being loaded with a cart of waste rock. She pushed the cart off the platform, “group A, your up.”The four of them claimed onto the elevator.  Dash hit the release switch, causing it to start climbing. “Don't follow us until we send this platform back down,” Dash ordered.

This time I manged to give a good saluted before she took off up the mine shaft. I turned to Golden, watching with her as the crystal ponies started to clean up the mess Dash had made of their work. “Winnow,” Golden asked, “what happened here?”

Winnow's ears flattened back. “When we fled our homeland to Equestria, we used the crystal heart to unite us. Now, the heart holds us. Without it at the centre of our city we are not whole. It had a place long ago, now its our greatest falling.”

“Fled?” Golden nudged, sounding interested. 

“We are not of Equestria, we had our own world. But with light comes shadow, and the darkness those shadows cast overwhelmed us.”

A defeated look came over Golden's features. “No one came to help?” Golden asked slowly. 

Winnow shook her head, “no one goes to a lost cause.”

“And now the creatures that killed your world have followed you here to finish the job.” Golden asked, sounding conflicted. 

“No, they are always and forever. They came as nightmares before they came as shadows.”

“The changing spirits,” I said slowly. “They killed your whole world.”

Winnow's ears drooped. “They are always hungry.” 

There was a small thump as the platform returned. “Guess we need to be going now.” I said, pointing to the newly arrived  elevator. The three of us climbed on to it and I hit the release switch. We steadied ourselves as the platform lurched upwards.

Fifteen flours latter, we arrived in a large domed room. More stone tracks lead a down a large passage to our right. Next to the shafts opening were four large wheels with glowing yellow gemstone lodged at their centre. Chains ran from drums at the base of each wheel, through pulleys on the ceiling, to each of the elevator platforms. Two crystal ponies stood looking blankly at us as we rose to their eye level. The members of team A were standing on guard at each of the two passages.  The lines of air flow crystals ran up the walls and out through a vent in the ceiling. Dash stood wings folded, operating the platform control lever. “Which way?” Dash asked as the three of us stepped off the elevator onto the stone floor.

Winnow pointed to her right, “fourth door, right side. That is where it was when I was fitting for war.”

> Chapter 6: A Slight Change of Plans
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pinkie's tail started to twitch, and Golden's ears flopped, tail waged, and left hoof shivered. Everyone attention, save Winnow's, shot to hole in the ceiling. We had just enough time to ready ourselves before two changelings dropped through the vent. They landed  between the Pie sisters and the rest of the group. I felt rage start welling up inside Golden as their bug eyes looked over our faces. “You smell lovely,” the one of the left said.”

“Yes,” the other one agreed, “especially the shiny pony. I've never tasted a shiny pony's love befo...”

Her words were cut off by a sickening crunching sound as Dash's back hooves collided with the side of the changeling's face. It fell lifeless to the ground as Dash wheeled over to drive her front two hooves into the other changeling's back. There was another loud snap and the black bug pony collapsed into a motionless heap. “Move,” Dash ordered. “There will be more coming.”

We took off down the passageway. Pinkie and Maud lead the way, followed by the rest of group B. Dash and the spa twins were in rear. Behind us, I could hear the buzz of many droning wings. We rounded a bend in the passage. “That one,” Winnow pointed at a large purple set of crystal doors.

Pinkie and Maud galloped  to them. “Their locked,” Pinked cried trying to force them open. Maud smiled and drove her hoof right through the door. “Oh ya,” I for got about that,” Pinkie grinned, helping Maud break a hole large enough for the rest of use to pass through. 

Without looking back, I turned, skidding a little as I slid though the hole in the door. Golden, Winnow, Aloe and Lotus followed close behind. “I'm moving to phase 4,” I heard Dash yell from the other side of the door. 

The place looked like a big warehouse store room. The round walls were lined with shelves containing an assortment of crystal based weapons. In the centre of the room was a floor to ceiling block of black crystal that pulsed with chaotic light. Within its dark inside I could make out the shape of the draconequus, Discord. Around his prison was an assembly line of equipment that I assumed was used to refine and construct the weapons of war that lined the outer walls. “There!” I pointed, “We need to get some of that crystal. Golden, Winnow you're with me. Team A, hold that hole.”

“With pleurae, my sweet stallion,” Aloe cooed  in playful jest, as her and the rest of Team A took up defensive potions around the door hole. 

The three of us raced to the crystal containing Discord. We dodged around the equipment and skidded to a halt before the jagged block of chaotic stone. My heart was racing, “Winnow can you carve us off some shards of this without freeing the creature inside?” 

Her ears pined back to her head. “I can,” she responded.

There was a loud crunch from behind us. I turned to see a changeling had tried to make it through the hole. It now lay crumbled form a hoof to the side of the head. 

“Then do it.” replied. I turned back to look her in the eyes, “I am still to off balance from healing you to try something this complex.”

She looked nerves, but struck the stone with decisive force, chipping off a muzzle sized chuck of sparking black purple rock. “How much do you need?” She asked. “This stone was made to give.” 

“A chuck for each of us.” I replied, watching the door for more signs of intrusion. She went to work breaking off piece after piece until we had collected six hunks of the raw crystallized chaos.  “Golden help me with these,” I said filling our vest's combat pouches with the spoils. “Winnow, how do we get outside from here?” 

She pointed to the ceiling.

Seeing this, Pinkie sprang into action. She started to climb the walk that was adjacent to the door, plunging one hoof after the other into the stone. Maud followed suit, creating a second stone ladder next to Pinkie's. A shower of rocks started to rain down as they reached the ceiling. The stone giving way quickly under their hooves. The changelings seemed to sense something was going on. A second one tried to poke its head through the hole. Only to get knocked out cold my a sharp kick from Aloe's hind quarters. There  was a small crash as Pinkie's hoof drove into the morning sunlight. Her and Maud climbed up and out of view. “You and Winnow go next,” Golden said firmly. 

I complied, racing over to the makeshift ladder with Winnow in toe. I did my best to climb. My heart still pounding as I heard a loud shutter as the whole door shook. “Sir Star, I think they are trying to break through,” Lotus informed me, sounding concerned. 

I heard Golden say, “you two go, I will hold them.” 

My eyes widened with fear, but I didn't dare take them off the climb.  

I felt Pinkie's warm legs around my mine as she reached down and pulled me onto the empty sunlit street.  I crawled away from the hole, softly panting. I looked back over my shoulder to see Winnow,  Aloe, and Lotus making their way out with the help of the Pie sisters.  A loud curooosh echoed from under my hooves. I watched the hole with worried eyes. Seconds ticked by as if they were hours. After what felt like an eternity, Pinkie reached down and pulled the sunny haired mare from the hole. “Golden, you're okay?” I asked making my way over to her.

She nodded, “I had to use one of our chaos shards to seal the door. It should buy us some time to plan our next move.”

The rest of us looked at her in puzzled inquiry. I was just about to ask how she sealed a door with a shard of pure chaos, but the nagging inklings of gnawing dread I had been feeling since I arrived on the surface had reached the point I could no longer ignore them. I turned to look at the group, “do you feel that?” I asked, looking between Golden and the Flower twins.

They nodded, looking towards the citadel. From were we where, we could see the base of the crystal castle. A mass of lime green crystal had formed around it where the crystal heart would have normally been. “Do you think?” Aloe asked.

“I do,” Lotus replied. “Changelings feed on love, and that crystal heart is just that.” At that moment there was a loud BOOOM from overhead. We all looked up to see a brilliant rainbow nova filling the sky over the empire. “Good to see our Dash keeping them off us. Lets smooth out the next knot well we have the time.” 

Everypony save Pinkie nodded. “Pinkie?” Maud asked. I looked over to see Pinkie staring transfixed at the sky. The rainbows above reflected in her eyes. Maud's verbal nudge pulled Pinkie's attention back to the present, and we took off towards the massive ominous green formation.

“Incoming!” I heard Lotus cry as a large ball of sparking yellow energy few towards us. We dodged left, the attack impacting the street, sending sparks spaying in all directions. I could make out two armoured crystal ponies standing beside an arched entrance to the green crystal structure. “”Free form!' Lotus ordered. The ponies from group A scattered, taking four separated paths towards the imposing guards. The second guard aimed her lance at three of us still running together and released another ball of yellow lighting. 

We scattered, Golden to the right, Winnow to the left. I tried to change my path but was too slow. The ball of energy scored a direct impacted into my side. I tensed up, my body waiting for the impending agony. No pain came. Rather, my vest fizzled and disintegrated into a black ash. The three hunks of chaos crystal tinkering harmlessly to the ground. “I'll get those, you to keep going.” Golden pushed, turning around to retrieved the fallen gems. 

Thankfully the guards didn't get another shot off. Pinkie and Maud had closed the distance and engaged the two crystal ponies in hoof to hoof combat. The crystal ponies armour was imposing. They both wore spiked platemail with large full face helmets. A red light glowed from their eye slits. On their backs were mound long lances with  mouth handles.  The spa sister moved right past the guards, and into the unknown darkness. Panting, I sped past the fray, skidding to a halt inside the massive crystal changeling hive.  It looked like a bees nest. The walls, floor, and ceiling were formed of green hexagonal crystal. In the centre of the huge space was a large jutting column. Encased within it was the crystal heart. Lines of soft blue and red light flowed from the heart, dissipating into the surrounding hive. All round us was the sound of countless buzzing wings. 

Suddenly, the outside light was cut off as a large crystal pillar formed out of the ground, blocking the exist. “Winnow, you must free the heart.” Lotus whispered, “It will take any of us more time then we have.” The sisters readied themselves. A sea of blue eyes locked on us from all sides. 

A look of determination came over Winnow. She speed forward. The changelings unleashing a barrage of magic blasts from their horns. Aloe and Lotus were quick to intercept, dancing around Winnow blocking each shot with their vested bodies. The changelings magic seemed to be far weaker then the blast that had hit me, and the Flower twin's vests looked to be holding up well against it. Winnow reached the column, and dug into it with her hooves. The changelings, seeing their magic was ineffective, dove towards her. I watched as Aloe and Lotus moved in almost perfect synchronicity, dodging, weaving, landing strike after strike on the oncoming changeling swarm. 

I was torn, I wished with all my heart that I could help, but I had no vest, no energy, and was still out of breath. My mind was made for me when two changelings dropped from the ceiling in fount of me, “Nice smell you have earth pony.”

“Yes, you will taste vary delicious.”

I watched as they both changed, Standing before we were to copies of the pony I loved most deeply. They laughed, seeing me shirk in embarrassment. “Silly earth pony. Your heart belongs to us now,” they said in unison. I saw their horns flash, and felt my body freeze. Before my eyes I was being rapidly encased by the green crystal of the hive. I looked back at the others. Aloe and Lotus were pinned, green crystal forming over they helpless bodies. The crystal heart lay on the ground. Winnow was standing over  it, her hooves raised. I could see tears in her eyes. Her hooves came down on the heart, shattering it to bits. 

> Chapter 7: A Battle of Light and Shadow
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a soft ping, and the magic of world shook. A sphere of blue and red light erupted form the shattered heart. I could hear the air sizzling as the massive ball of pure love magic ejected the changelings touched by its light from the Equestrian plane.  

There was a stillness. Winnow walked over to me and started lick the side of my face. The land let out a long peaceful breath. Part of its magic free again. I felt the earth magic start returning to my body. It was still much weaker then I was used to, but at least I was no longer feeling dizzy. I smiled, rolling on to my hooves. Aloe and Lotus limped  over to me. We all looked out at Pinkie and Maud. The scrimmage had ended. The crystal ponies had taken off their helmets and were looking apologetically at the Pie sisters. For all their strength, Pinkie and Maud had barely put a dent in the crystal ponies armour. Pinkie's front leg looked like it had been broken, and Maud was bleeding from a large gash on her left shoulder. 

There was a loud whoosh and Dash landed in front of us. “That was awesome!” she proclaimed smiling gleefully. She too looked like had been through a scrap herself. Her vest was badly singed and her fur was damped from the trickles of blood leaking out of her many scrapes. 

Golden trotted over to me smiling. “We did it,” she said pointing at the gleaming coats of the two crystal guards. 

I looked at her with fearful eyes. “But now we have no way to bring down Sombra....” I stopped, seeing the sky begin to darken as a clouds of racing shadow swarmed towards us. 

One of crystal ponies spoke. He had a grey blue coat and tightly trimmed grey mane. “Ponies of Equestria, I know we were fighting just moments ago, but now that we have been freed, please,  let us turn our anger at the one who has wronged us both.” 

His partner nodded. She was a light blue mare with a jasmine mane. Winnow trotted between them, “Welcome back Crystal Lake,” she said looking at the Stalin, “and you too, Looking Glass.” They both politely acknowledged her, before readying their lances at the on coming shadows. 

“How are you two so calm with what just happened?” I asked curiously.

“We have all our memories of life before this word and this war. We have seen so much in the time before and within Equestria that the now seems simple to us.” Looking Glass replied.

“So plan B?” I asked, turning to Dash. The looming dark cloud drawing ever closer.

“Star, are you strong enough to help Pinkie or Maud?' Golden asked stepping in beside me.

Maud limped over, “Some help would be nice, but I think my sister needs it more.”

“What are you talking about?” Pinkie protested, her hair full and springy.

“Save your strength,” Dash ordered. “Your magic is our best chance at dealing with Sombra.”

Hearing that Maud drew a bandage from her vest and proceeded to start wrapping her shoulder. I was a little supersized at how strong her hoof grip was.

We took our fighting stances. Aloe and Lotus were in the back, Dash in the sky just over our head. The two crystal guards in the centre, Pinkie and Maud took the flanks, and me and Golden took the lead. It was up to us to land a hit on Sombra with the chaos stones. I only hoped that we had enough fire power to bring him down once we had him in physical form. 

The barrier shivered as the rolling mass of black shadows swelled though it. I heard a deep rolling laugh echo through the city. “Well done my little ponies. You have saved the empire from the darkness, and now you stand united with my once allies. The knife of their betrayal cuts deep.” There was another long rolling laugh. “That is, if this little victory was not part of my plan from the beginning. For now that you don't have the heart, how will you keep my true army from storming these lands in force?'” Sombra's eyes opened from the shadowy cloud.  Its darkness now mere meters away from us. “You were doomed from the beginning.” 

I could feel Winnow and the other crystal ponies start to shrink under his gaze. “Now!” Dash shouted. 

Golden flicked a shard of chaos stone into the air and landed a kick on it with her hind hoof. A faint ring echoed from the stone. The space around the point her hoof hit seemed to rippled like a disturbed   puddle. The stone stated to glow like a prism of rainbow light as is sailed strait into the unsuspecting shadow. “What are you doing?” Sombra spat clearly taken off guard by Golden's attack. There was a split second of silence before the shard exploded with him. Beams of light flew out in all directions as Sombra's shadowy form was stripped away. Before any of us really knew what we were seeing, Golden had lunched a second shard. This time right at Sombra's now clearly defined body.

“Fire!” Dash yelled. 

Lake, and Glass let loose their weapons. In the same moment, Winnow darted from the herd, making a b-line for Sombra. My mind seemed to lag as I watched Sombra's horn glow, sending the first ball of lighting zipping off into a near by building.  He seemed to try and catch the shard with magic as well, but to no effect. It fizzled and the shard impacted his body. The space around him convulsed as the air hissssssssssed. His body splitting in two. Off balance he didn't have time to block the second shot. It hit him right in his contorting body. The resulting impacted sparked a raging ball of welling black yellow light. Both Sombra's crystal body and his shadow one were cracking, spitting, and splintering  in the chaotic mass. 

Winnow dove through the mess of raging magical energy. Like a pegasi plucking a colt from a burning rooftop, she landed on the other side of the mess, a battered and confused looking Sombra in her hooves. Unlike before, this Sombra's flank bore the image of the Crystal City. His sharp horn was tinted ice blue, and his deep amber eyes had a softness to them.

The mass of shadows continued to twitch, the energy arcing around the squirming mass. There was a massive KA-BOOM! with a resulting shock wave that knocked me flat on my side. I struggled to right myself as darkness filled the sky. Sombra's laughter echoing above us. “So, you saved the vessel. You, ponies are pathetic. First you destroy the only way to beat me, then you waste the one trick you have left to save my weakling self.

There was another deep chuckle from the darkness. Before us the shadows coalesced into a jet back King Sombra in full royal garb. Whispers of purple shadow danced from his lime green eyes. His horn's knife like edge glinting a deep hue of blood red.  He grinned at Golden, “your chaos was tasty.” She looked back at him with a slightly amused smile that seemed really out of place. “Some fight,” he scoffed, “I like it. The more you have, the more I will be able to drain from your squirming body. Now, I am expecting a guest shortly, why don't you all stay and watch our little fight.” On his last word, shards of black gemstone shot from the ground rooting me and the other earth ponies to the ground. 

“Ow,” I heard Maud say in her normal tone, I twisted my head to see a large crystal lodged through her left should. A small trickle of blood oozing down the black gemstone. There was another sickening crunch as more crystals priced through Aloe and Lotus forelegs, trapping them like a stockade. 

“And as for you two, my loyal guards,” Sombra said, his voice thick this sarcasm. “I think you need to remember who your master is!” Shadows leaped from his horn, striking the two crystal ponies. The two were frozen with fear. I could feel the terror they had felt under his rain welling up within them. Their minds being forced back into that dark place by the manic warlord. The two were powerful, fighting to their last breath against Sombra's assault. “So, the destruction of the heart has made your inner love strong.” He sneered, “looks like I have no use for you after all.” His horn puled red with a beam of magic plasma.  It struck his opponents crumpling them to the ground, their armour and weapons being reduced to dust on the wind.

“That's is enough!” Dash yelled, swinging at Sombra's face with spin kick.

Sombra just grinned. His eyes glowed with dark power. Dash's body froze. Her vest falling to ash. The unicorn magic holder her prosthetic wing together shattered, sending metal fragments scattering across the ground. Sombra lick his lips, “Now you are just like the mud ponies,” he spat throwing Dash to the ground in front of him.

“Maud are you okay?” I head Pinkie Pie say from behind me. Her voice week and trembling. 

“I have been better. However, the larger disappointment is this crystal taste terrible.”

Pinkie involuntarily snorted with laughter, “you always know how to tell the best jokes.”

I  glanced back at Golden who was still confidently smiling even though her body was bond my black gemstone. I followed her eye line. Behind Sombra, the other Sombra was making his way to his hooves. His ice blue horn glinting with magic light.  

“Look out above!” I heard Pinkie sequel.  

There was a loud thump and Celestia was standing before me. A ring of sunlight dispelling all shadows around her. She addressed Sombra in her royal tone. “It's over Sombra, your armies have surrendered, and you are greatly outmatched.”

“Once upon a time, you would have been right,” he said, starting to prowl back and forth like a cat. “But, now...” He laughed. “You have no sister by your side, your prodigal student is dead, and the elements are lost.” He stopped and licked his lips again. “And what's more, your heart is week with self doubt and shame.” He laughed again, lashing out at her with a red beam of light plasma.

Celestia nullified it with a flash of her horn. Dash got to her hooves. “Umbra!” a voice roared. “You're time has come!' The amber eyed Sombra stood definitely. His horn pulsing with pure magic power. “I remember now who I am. I was the first ruler of the Crystal Empire. I am the rightful king of this city, and I am going to end you for the glory of every crystal pony you enslaved!.”

The umbra glanced over its shoulder. “Big words for a king that was my tormented servant for so many millennia . Your time died out long before the empire ever came to Equestria, you are a long past relic only good for tricking the last of your foolish race.”

Celestia spoke, “King Sombra, although we have never met we seem to share the same foe.” 

“I agree,” he replied, “let us end this fool before his foolishness becomes contagious.”

“End me?” the umbra giggle. Dark crystal shot from the ground, carrying him high into he air. King Sombra launched a blast of blue light plasma from his horn. It arced and sparked around the crystal, driving towards the dark warlord. Celestia leapt into the air. Her horn glowed. A bream of pure sunlight flowing from her glowing body. I turned my head to shield my eyes from the blast. The sound of shattering crystal rained down around me.

“Move back,” Dash ordered as she side stepped a hunk of falling stone. 

Winnow ran up to me and started to chip me from the crystal that was rooting me to the ground. 

The cogs in my mind finally engaged. I pulsed the gemstone that held me, shattering it. I turned and rushed over to Maud. “Winnow, get her free” She nodded, seeing I was loose, and started to smash the crystal that was impaling Maud. I dashed over to Pinkie. One pulse to her body freed her from the her bonds. “Pinkie, your leg.” She held it out for me. Quickly, I placed my hooves on her broken joint and allowed the healing power of the land to bind her broken bones together. 

“Yaaay” Pinkie exclaimed. I swayed, feeling a little woozy. “Earth magic is supper special awesome magic!” She beamed.

There was another flash of light from behind me. I resisted the temptation to look at the battle raging above. Winnow had freed Maud and was about to remove the crystal shard that was lodge inside her. I looked over at Golden. “If I pass out you will need to make sure I get out of here safely, okay?”

“I can do that,” she replied smiling, freeing herself from the crystal that her.

I caught Winnow's eyes. She understood and pulled started to pull the shard from Maud's body. As it was removed, I slowly closed the wound behind it. 

“Never fear The Pinkie is here,” I heard her say as she chipped Aloe and Lotus free. “And your out.”

“We much appreciate it.” Aloe said thankfully. “but our front legs seem to unusable.” 

I slumped down to the ground. I was still awake, but I was not sure if I could walk. My mind was fuzzy and my words a little slurred. “I am so sorry you two. I am not going to be able to help you any.” 

Maud put her hoof on my shoulder. “I am going to carry you now.” she told me, as there was another loud BAG from just over head. “Pinkie can you bring sparkly ones?”

“I can for sure,” Pinkie replied draping Crystal Lake and Looking Glass over her back.

Maud slipped her muzzle under me and lifted me on her back. “Winnow help Aloe, Golden your with Lotus,” Dash ordered, tiny fragments of crystal showering us as the battle raged above. 

They did as ordered. From Maud's back I could once again see the battle unfolding behind us. Through clouds of dust and smoke the red cloaked  umbra laughed uncontrollably. A mad glint in his eyes. Celestia looked battered. Her side was gouged. Wisps of soft pink, green, and blue light were leaking from her wounds. King Sombra was not faring much better. Deep cracks ran along his body. His shining crystal coat drenched in the same viscus liquid that had leaked from Winnow when Dash had landed on her.  

“What's the matter Celestia?” the umbra cackled. “I thought a Queen would be able to hold her own. What was it you said? Something about me being outmatched. You have grown witty in the years since we last fought.”

“Don't call me that. I rule with my people not over them!” Celestia spat back, letting another ray of light fly at the gloating warlord.

He deflected it with ease. “So much rage. How the mighty have fallen.” His grin was broken by a beam of blue light impacting his side, knocking him to the ground.

“Indeed,” King Sombra noted, making to fire a second blast. 

Celestia saw her opening and dove, driving her hind hooves into manic warlord's side. Even form my distance I could see the power she placed in her strike far exceed any earth pony I had ever seen. She leapt back into the air just as King Sombra's blast struck, blowing a gaping hole in the umbra's body. 

“Hold here,” Dash ordered. “Drop the wounded in cover and regroup. Who can still fight?”  

“I can still fight.” Maud replied. 

“Pinkie Pie here and ready.”

“ Golden at your service.”

“Lets go,” Dash motioned. “We need to be in position if this fight doesn't end soon.”

Winnow lay down beside me and started to gently lick the side of my head and part of my ear. I watched as the last able body members of our team rushed to help Celestia. 

Celesta spread her wings, moving the sun to her back . Her shadow falling over the injured Dark Lord. “In the name of Equestria, the two sisters and the all the stars in the sky, I here by banish your twisted form to Tartarus for your crimes against pony kind.”  She released a massive beam of pure sunlight at her fallen foe.

“Just faking,” he snarled. His horn puled with green and violate light. The beam bent. King Sombra froze transfixed. The knowledge of his impending doom locked on his face. The air sizzled as a portal to Tartarus was ripped in the fabric of reality. King Sombra was flung through it, landing on a high prison peak. The portal snapping shut behind him. 

For a split second Celestia froze, a look of horror on her face. Sombra took full advantage. A pillar of black crystal shot upward catching Celestia off guard. She dodged right, but Sombra was to fast. The crystal split. A second branch driving right through Celestia body. I watched with a sinking feeling in my stomach as she plummeted to the ground. Her wounds gushing steams of light energy.
Sombra got to his hooves and walked over to her injured body. The hole in his form filling in with shadows that coalesced  from thin air. “I wounder how your sister would reacted if she knew she was not the only one you had banished?” he asked. His tone full of mockery. 

“She would say you were a monster for tricking me into doing it.” Celestia retorted.

“Really? He strode over to her broken body and looked down into her eyes. “How can you be sure?” 

“You leave her alone!” Dash commanded. She stood definitely staring down the Dark King. 

“Or what? A one winged pegasus and a some mud ponies are going to stop me. Can't you see I have won?” he proclaimed, a wide grin plaster across his face. 

“No, I know you might think you have the upper hoof, but you have underestimated one critical fact. It was your undoing long before you ever starred this war.”

“Really!?” Sombra roared spinning around to face Dash. I caught the faintest grin on Celestia's pained face.

“All this time, I thought I had lost so much. My fiends were gone, changed, or died.  My world had become just one long battle. But the hearts distinction made me realize something. I had never really lost those close to me. I had only let myself be blinded to what was really important. I know in my heart that they still stand here with me. Even though we may be separated by distance, loss and death, we are all still here, and we are still the Guardians of Harmony. You have failed Sombra, because you have never  known what it means to be loyal to anyone.”

From the moment she started talking, the air around Dash  begin to swell with power. I watched as Golden whipped her three remaining crystal shards into the air. The space around them shimmered and sizzled with energy. Sombra looked like he was wilting under the insistently of Dash's presence. “But, The Elements are gone, lost forever!?” he raged.

Pinkie Stepped to Dash's side. “Dashy, I never realized you felt I had stopped being your friend.”

“I knew you didn't, but that didn't stop it from feeling like you did. Your the Party Pony of Ponyville, seeing you down is like totally not cool. I felt I lost all of you, Rarity, and Fluttershy moving away, Applejack being super removed from everypony....”

With each name spoken a shard of chaos imploded into a portal in space. Though each rift could be seen one of Dash's missing friends. They looked out a Sombra.

“Dash, what have you done?” Rarity asked, soundly slightly concerned. 

Fear started to fill Sombra face. He tried to lunge at the group, but was held back my some invisible force. His horn was sparking like flit and steel with no tinder to light. 

“But you have no magic. No element of magic. She is dead. Dead!”

Dash glared at him. “She has always been with us. As long as we need her she will be in our hearts. Her magic will never die as long as we stay loyal to who we are and we be!” Light flashed as crystals flew from the ground in spinning rings around each of the mane 5, lifting them into the air. 

“The elements of harmony were never lost,” it was Twilight's voice. “They have always been with us, as they have been with every Guardian of Harmony since the dawn of time.  “Plus,” she said her translucent form looking dead into Sombra's eyes,  “I am nearly dead. There is a big difference. I will have you know.”

“Twilight!? The group cried out in supersize. 

“Why are you so transparent?” was Pinkie's follow up question. 

“Look girls, focus. We need to end this fight before the magic dissipates.”

“Right,” they all replied in unison. 

The shards united into the element of each pony. There was a flash of blinding white light, followed by a nova of rainbow energy. The ground below my hooves came to life with multicoloured light as the whole city filled with the rainbow magic of elemental harmony. The citadel above me glowed with enormous power, sending a torrent of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and violet light soaring across the skies of Equestria. I could feel the earth beneath my hooves breathing in the liquid light of harmony. Its power amplified many time over by the resonance of the Crystal City. Beside me, Winnow stood beaming with rainbows reflected in her sparkling eyes. I felt my strength returning. Looking Glass and Crystal Lake stirred beside me. Their bodies being restored by the waves of prismatic light. 

Then, it was over. The light died down. I got to my hooves and started to make my way over to the group. Sombra was gone, and so to were Twilight, and the portals. Celestia got to her hooves and beamed down at Dash. “You have learned much. What you did was a vary advanced form of the magic of friendship.”

“It was nothing,” Dash replied nonchalantly, stretching out her wings. 

There was a snap from behind Celestia, “Hello, all.” Discord said waving to the group. 

All eye's turned to the draconequus.

“No need for those looks. I mean you no harm. I'm just saying goodbye to all my old “friends.”” He made air quotes with his paw. “Oh, don't look at me like that. I have learned my lesson. You silly ponies are no fun at all. A little harmless chaos is not worth getting trapped in stone or crystal for a millennium. At least I had Twilight to talk to for the last couple years of it. Although she can get really dull with all her constant talk of books this and friendship that.” A black fedora appeared on his head. “So, with that, hats off to you all.”  He tipped his hat. There was another snap, and he was gone. 

Celestia looked back at us, her awkward exasperation mirrored our own. “That was, unexpected,” she contemplated thoughtfully, glancing at Golden. Who responded by grinning broadly.   

“Dash! Your wing!” Pinkie exclaimed bouncing on the spot. 

Dash looked over he shoulder, “Oh ya. It's back!” she exclaimed jumping into the air. 

Aloe and Lotus trotted up behind us, their legs healed. “Looking Glass and Crystal Lake went to power down the barrier.” They reported to Dash, before knelling briefly in respect to Celestia. 

“What of King Sombra?” Winnow asked  looking up at Celestia. 

“I will convene with my sister to decide his fate, but I see no reason he will not return to rule this land once we are sure he is truly free of the darkness that lived within him.” 

Winnow smiled politely, knelt and happily trotted back to my side. 

“Its too bad we couldn't keep our elements.” Pinkie mused continuing to bonce, “but now that the war is over, all our friend's will be coming back to Ponyville.” she stopped eyes widening, “I am going to throw the biggest home coming party ever!” 

“Celestia,” Golden asked “I have something of importance to ask of you.” 

“You may ask,” Celestia replied cautiously.

“I come from a town vary far from here, that's just a short walk away. There, changeling have taken over my village. Now that your war is over. I ask you, by the light of the stars, if you would help send the changelings home.”

Celestia nodded. “I will,” she replied softly as if to somepony not present. “I take it you wish to leave now?”

“The sooner the better.” Golden replied.

“Luna is in charge of changeling control. I can have her here in moments if you really desire to leave in such short order.”

“I do,” Golden replied. “In truth, I am vary home sick.”

“But you will still be coming to my party?” Pinkie asked worried.

Golden shook her head, “No, it was fun to be part of this all, but I am not sure I will ever be able to see any of you again.”

Winnow walked over to me and licked my cheek. I put my hoof around her. I knew she knew that we would not be seeing each other again. “You can't leave!” Dash exclaimed in frustration. “We only just met you.”  

I looked up at her with a said look in my eyes. “Sometimes we only get one really great memory with somepony before they are gone from our lives forever.”  As I spoke the barrier around the city slowly shimmed and faded into the air.

There was a crack and Luna was standing beside us. With her were four female bat ponies. Each one had a yellow gem around its neck just like Dash. Their bodies were covered by black platemail, and on  each hoof was a silver horseshoe that sparkled with a dim magic glow “I hope you have a good reason to wake me sister.”  

“I do. Two in fact,” Celestia replied grinning. “The first is, the war is over. We own, and the second is there are some changeling that need to be sent home.”

“Where?” Luna asked bluntly.

Celestia nodded at Golden, “Equine Junction.” Golden replied. 

“You will be taking both her and him.” Celestia said looking at Golden and me. “What's more you are to listen to the Gold one. Do exactly as she instructs. Got it?”

“Yes, oh older one. I got it.” Luna replied with mock playful disdain.

Aloe smiled, “It was nice to meet you Star and Golden. It is too bad I will not get to learn your ways of earth magic.”

“Yes,” Lotus added, “we hope you have a good trip, and my our paths cross again.”

Maud blinked slowly, “You really rocked it.” 

Pinkie snorted in a laugh. 

Golden and I walked over to Luna. “The hill just outside the north end of town.”  Golden requested. There was  flash of dark blue, and we were standing on a grassy hill over looking a small farming town of thatched roofed homes. “This is the place?” Luna asked.

“Yes,” Golden replied, “we must walk from here.”

> Chapter 8: Home Coming 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

We stared to walk toward the village. “How many?” Luna asked.

“Many, well over a thousand,” Golden replied.

“Golden why just say that now? How are just the five of them supposed to defeat over a thousand changelings?”

She looked at me surprised, “you have never heard the stories of Luna's battles in the time before ponies?”

“No... I never found a book on that.” I admitted sheepishly. 

Luna smiled, “I am glad somepony remembers the stories of old.”

I looked down at my hooves, “Golden did the sun move?”

“Yes, when Celestia fought King Sombra's shadow. She moved it.”

I shook my head, I could have sworn my shadow had moved significantly from when I had arrived on the hill, to now.

“Form a perimeter sisters,” Luna ordered. The four bat ponies split formation and sprang into the air, fanning out to each of the four corners of the town. “You two with me. You are to say in my sight at all times.” We nodded.

We made our way towards the centre of the still town. Luna's eyes darted around scanning for signs of movement. We reached a statue of a large bunch of grapes in the centre of town. Luna stopped. Her horn glowing midnight blue. Without warning, she leaped into the air, unleashing a blast of blue light just meters from were Golden and I were standing. The blast hit the ground, sending bits of rock and dirt flaying. I watched as the dust cleared. From within the hole I could see a mass of green hexagonal crystals. An angry buzzing swelled from within the underground hive. Luna let another ball of dark blue light fly into the black reaches of the changeling nest. From all around us ponies started to emerge from their homes. They bared their teeth, eyes flashing green. Luna rose higher into the air, an unnatural night falling over the town with her ascent. The changeling dropped their vales, sending blasts of magic at Luna.

She wheeled, rolling through the volley of light like an expert dancer. Her horn glowed as multiple rays shot out, striking the changelings. Each time there was a small hissss and the black bug pony vanished in a flash of blue light. Seeing the tied of battle turn against them, a swarm of over a hundred changeling took to the air. The dark sky flashed with green light as the bug ponies dawned the skin of pegasi. The night guard were ready. They dove into the oncoming swarm, darting and wheeling like bats in the night. The vale of any changeling that neared a them fizzled out, and with a swift hoof strike, the bug pony was banished in a blue flash. “We move on to the hive, ” Luna ordered us, as she sent another hoof full of changeling to whatever awaited them on the other side of the blue light. 

We quickly rushed over to the hole she had blasted in the ground. The hive was deep and dim. It was illuminated only by the faint glow of the green crystal structure. Luna landed beside us. I felt great power well within her. A point of midnight light formed, focused at the tip of her horn. Her eyes went night black, as a nova of deep blue magic burst outward. The crystals under our hooves vaporized. The ball expanded till it was the size of the entire town, and then in a flash, contracted back to the point at the tip of her horn. Overhead the bat ponies swooped and soared, picking off any feeling changelings that had managed to evade the blast. 

From down in the hole, I heard voices call out, “Hello?”

“What is going on?” 

“Ooof, who else is down here?”

“Stay calm. I am going to lift you out” Luna said firmly. 

I watched as one by one she lifted out pony after pony until we had a little group of confused farmers standing around us. A yellow coated mare with a mark that depicted a field a hay grass, nudged through the throng. “Golden? What is going on?”

“I came back to get you, Green,” she replied placing a hoof around her sister.

Around us, more ponies were stumbling out of their homes into the dim day air. “Si,” Luna called, “I need you and Zo, to sweep the town. Make sure no changelings have slipped by. Ran, search the tunnels. All report back when you are sure the objective has been secured.” They saluted and split to carry out their orders. It didn't take long. Within a few minutes the small town had been swept, and the three bat ponies were back.

“All clear.” they reported.

“Vary well,” Luna replied. The darkness lifting from over the town, sunlight steaming into the bleary eyes of  farmers. “Golden, is that all?”

“It is, thank you Luna. Just, make sure you walk back to the ridge we arrived on before you teleport.” Luna nodded. Then, her and the bat ponies took their leave. 

I watched them go, the wait of the last few days still not fulling processing  in my mind. The villagers were all gathered around Golden, congregating and thanking her bringing help in their time of need.  

She found a way over to me through the crowed, “Well Star Butt, it's been fun. I am glad you were along for the ride.”

I looked at her dead in the eye's, “that's it? You are just pushing me out after all we have just gone through?”

She looked at me vary seriously. “We are home now, and you made some vary good points when we first met.” She winked at me. “But I will see you again. I have plans. You are welcome to stay if you wnat, but can't say I will be vary interesting. I have a garden to plant, and I am vary behind.”

“It's okay. I think leaving before ponies start to notice me is best. “But, I got to ask, did you ever learn that thing Equestria mentioned?” 

She grinned knowingly.

I smiled to myself, “Bye Golden,” I put my hoof out. 

She bumped it with hers, “bye for now.”

I turned and slunk out of town in the shadow cast by Golden's sunrise. It was a two day walk to the nearest town with a train station. It had been a long time since I had to eat grass off the side of the road and sleep outside like the ponies of old. I didn't mind, It gave me time to think and try to understand just who Golden was. How marks could be different  for the same ponies in different worlds. Who in the land was Stardust, and were did Golden find information about the time before ponies.... Maybe Princess Twilight would have some the answers.

After three days trivial, I was finally back in Ponyville. I stepped off the train, looking forward to having a nice hot bath and going to take a good long nap. Twilight was waiting on the station platform. “Celestia said you would be getting back on this train. How could you just leave without telling me. You are now five days behind your studies, and because of that I had to rewrite the whole lessen plan.”

“Looks like I better get to work then.” 

She grinned and trotted off towards her crystal library. “I have already got the first book of the day picked out for you.”

I followed behind her. The nap would have to wait.

The End.