Race 12: Crystal clear
The monotony of white was broken by the steel gray sky. Puffs of condensation could be seen as the sentries exhaled while they marched behind the parapets behind the bulwarks of the icy fortress. Occasionally, the guards would spit, just to hear the crack as their saliva froze before it touched the ground.
This was the stark reality of the icy frontier of the Crystal Empire. This was a typical summer day; it took a practiced eye to pick out the details in the sea of white that extended for kilometers in all direction. Stones and boulders slumbered under a blanket of ice and snow. It was rumored that wendigos lurked about to eat the unwary, dumping surprise snowstorms from clear gray skies
It took a special type of pony to operate in these conditions, even with the warming enchantments built into the extreme weather equipment. The Crystal Garrison was made of such ponies, and it was no exaggeration when they claimed to be the best of the best. Even the Crown considered surviving a single tour in these conditions to be a mark of honor.
“Brrrr,” complained one of the sentries as he saw the snow clouds in the distance. “It looks like tonight is going to be colder than Blue Blood's heart.”
“I know, but look at the bright side!” said his partner. “Today we have the armor exchange!”
The first soldier replied, "That's a relief! I swear if we don't switch out the old gear, we'll turn into snowponies on patrol."
The second soldier scanned the horizon. "Hey, is that a red banner?"
His partner confirmed the observation. He trotted to a turret and pulled the bell rope. The second soldier yelled, "Assemble! Assemble! Armor exchange!"
The ten unicorn guard mares pulling the supply wagon were greeted by the entirety of the Crystal Garrison standing in formation. They unhitched themselves as the quartermaster stepped down from the driver's bench to greet his crystal counterpart. With hungry expressions, they circled around the garrison for a personal inspection. The crystal soldiers did their best to signal their interest while staying at attention.
Once the mares covered the sides and rear of the formation, the side panel fell away from the wagon, revealing a squadron of elite guards with weapons at the ready, with Prince Armor taking the lead. The guard mares stood ready with stun spells. With horn glowing, he shouted, "Nopony move a muscle! Keep your hooves on the ground. NOW!"
One by one, each member of the garrison was led away to be stripped and hobbled as camouflaged prisoner transports were brought in. Unicorns had nullifier rings put on their horns while pegasi had their wings bound. Once the garrison was secured, Shining Armor went to inspect the wagon with the scrap. Casting a scanning spell, he saw a false bottom. Bundle upon bundle was neatly wrapped and stacked within the secret compartment.
“Packaged and ready for distribution, right?” said Shining Armor with undisguised disgust. “Take them to the Crystal Dungeons for interrogation immediately! The Crystal Garrison is on restriction until further notice. Understood?”
“Sir, yes sir!” shouted the new guards Shining Armor had brought. They were all members of his former commands, ponies he trusted with his life. Somehow, Cadence hadn't been thrilled to learn about the Black Widow squadron.
The interrogation yielded what might have been considered a pyrrhic victory. They had torn the throat from the narcotics distribution network, but the Crystal Garrison had been indelibly tainted.
“Unbelievable!” said Shining, after one of the longest days of his career. “Sixty percent! Sixty percent of our best were in on the smuggling! We're going to be conducting court martials for a month! What a day!”
“And we just received a letter from my aunts via dragon fire,” said Cadence. “They want to see us tomorrow.”
Shining nodded. “Perfect, a trip to Canterlot is just what I need.”
“Was that sarcasm?”
“No, I seriously want to go to Canterlot. I need to have a word with your cousin.”
Cadence looked at him, and nodded. She wanted answers even more than her husband. What really happened on that island? And why did he reveal himself to them?
Canterlot, at the next day:
The castle's war room was the best place in Equestria for a private conversation. Located deep within the dungeon, it was completely hidden from the outside. Soundproofing on the walls swallowed conversation before it could travel further. Interlocking privacy wards thwarted all known means of eavesdropping.
The foam dragon's teeth on the walls and ceiling added an atmosphere of menace as the Princesses of Sun and Moon sat across a table from the Crystal Regents. Celestia sighed. "Let me get straight to the point. Did you get the information on the smuggling ring from him?"
There was no need to clarify. The Crystal Regents looked at their hosts with a degree of discomfort.
Luna said, "We're not accusing you of anything. We know that the Arrow has provided the Royal Guard the locations of several drug distribution centers. While he has been of great service to Equestria, he also has murdered time and time again."
Cadence sighed. “Yes, I know what the Arrow has done, both good and ill. He was the one who provided the information on the garrison.”
Shining nodded slowly. “Yes, the Guard is well aware of his interrogation methods.”
“He contacted directly with you?” asked Luna.
One more time Shining and Cadence shared a look, but in the end Cadence shook her head. “Yes and no, auntie; the information was delivered on a scroll attached to an arrow; the archer disguised his voice and hid in the shadows. He shot at us when we tried to approach him; there's been no sign of him in the Empire since."
“How long ago was that?’” asked Celestia.
“Four nights ago, that's when we started planning our operation,” said Shining.
The Canterlot princesses sighed.
Celestia said, “Thank you for your candor. Won't you join us for lunch?”
“No, sorry auntie, we only have enough time to pay my cousin a quick visit before going back to the Empire,” answered Cadence.
The Canterlot princesses nodded and then bid the Crystal Regents farewell.
Blue Blood’s mansion:
Cadence stepped back in surprise as a stranger answered the door.
“Yes?” asked an orange pegasus with blonde mane.
“Hi, we need to speak with Blue Blood,” said Princess Cadence. “My name is Cadence; I’m his cousin.”
“It’s urgent,” added Shining Armor.
Barry looked toward the stairs to the basement, where Blue Blood and Rarity were training. He winced at the sound of body meeting wall. "I'm sorry, he's indisposed."
“It’s important,” insisted Cadence.
“He left orders that he was not to be disturbed,” said Barry.
“Lives are at stake!” said Cadence,
Rainbow Dash poked her head into the doorway. “Shining Armor! Cadence! What are you doing here?” she asked happily
“What are you doing here?” asked Shining Armor genuinely surprised.
“You know, the usual, visiting my pal Barry,” said Dash.
Cadence looked at Rainbow Dash. "I'm sorry, Rainbow, he's not the one." Looking over to Barry, she said, "No offense, Berry, but I don't believe we've met. What's your connection to Blue Blood?"
"I'm his assistant. He's busy now, but I can set an appointment for you for later."
At that moment, Blue Blood walked into the hallway with mane and fur matted and a towel draped over his withers. Noting the identities of his guests, he said, “It’s okay Barry, let them in.”
“What? For real?” asked Barry in disbelief.
Blue Blood telekinetically closed the door after his guests entered.
“They know,” explained Blood.
“What?!” said Barry and Dash in unison.
“Don’t make a fuss about it,” complained Blue Blood. “Just bring us some drinks. My cousin likes ice wine, and Armor . . .”
“Smoked whiskey,” mumbled Shining, unsure how to react.
“Make it two,” said Blue Blood. “Please, Barry.”
Still confused, Barry shrugged. To the Crystal Regents' surprise, he seemed to spontaneously appear dressed in a red body suit and had the drinks on a tray balanced between his wings. As Blue Blood took the tray in his telekinesis, the speedster looked at the expressions on the guests' faces and said, "What? Haven't you heard about the fastest pegasus alive?" He looked back to the kitchen and said, 'Rainbow, are you coming?"
The cyan pegasus seemed to materialize beside the Flash. "Ready when you are." With that, the Flash disappeared in a red and gold blur. Rainbow Dash followed, leaving a multicolored streak.
Again, the two Crystal Regents were speechless and looked at Blue Blood in astonishment. Blood just took a sip of his drink. “You’ll get used to it; now, let’s get to business.”
Blue Blood levitated a newspaper with his magic:
MAJOR DRUG BUST -- CRYSTAL GARRISON IMPLICATED
Heroic intervention from Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence rooted out corruption from within the best of the best.
“Thank you; the Solar Guard took longer to learn to trust in me.”
“What happened with you on that island, Blue Blood?” asked Cadence with concern.
"Sorry, cousin, but it hurts too much to tell. It was a crucible that burned away who I was and left who I should be." Blue Blood sadly shook his head. "Now, I live only for redemption. Our aunts are immortals; they seem stuck in more innocent times. They don't seem to realize that some ponies are just beyond hope of reform."
“But here you are, protecting the innocent,” said Shining.
Blue Blood considered his words for a moment before nodding. “Yes, but I had to go through Tartarus in order to see the light. And every time I see those who have failed Equestria, I am reminded of my old self, of what I might have become.”
“And why did you reveal yourself to us?” continued Cadence.
The prince looked at the window deep in his thoughts. “Because I can’t do this on my own, not anymore. I need some support from the Crown. You two have seen how deeply this drug empire is entrenched. And without your help, I won’t be able to stop all this, not even with the Flash’s help. I can’t get help from our aunts. If I were to ask, I would certainly end up in a psychiatric hospital for the rest of my life. So, I decided to take a risk, and ask for your help. I know I’ve been a jerk most of my life, and I don’t deserve your help. But don’t do this for me, do this for Equestria.”
Cadence and Shining Armor remained silent as they pondered his words.
“Maybe you’re not a jerk anymore, Blood,” said Shining, “but you’re still a murderer!”
“I know.”
“And do you want us to help you from inside the system? To betray our aunts?” questioned Cadence.
“Lots of people does it on the daily basis. I'm not asking you to do anything to harm them. I'm asking you to help save our people.” said Blue Blood calmly.
In the end, Cadence offered him a hoof. “I’ll help you, Blue Blood, but on one condition,” said Cadence sternly. “I need you to stop killing.”
Shining Armor added, "Unless it's to save the life of another."
Blue Blood groaned, annoyed. “Always the same! Don’t worry about it; with Allen in my team, and two possible additions, I haven’t killed in a while.”
“Allen?”
“Barry, Barry Allen” explained Blue Blood.
“'Berry' I can understand. What kind of pony name is Allen?”
“You don’t want to know,” sighed Blood.
The sound of heavy hoofbeats caught their attention. A mare who had a passing resemblance to the prim and proper proprietress of Carousel Boutique dragged her way up the stairs and down the hallway. Sweat matted down every last hair, and her breathing was heavy and ragged.
“Blue Blood! How could you leave me behind like that?” she asked angrily.
Cadence hurried to help her. “What happened to you?”
Rarity glared at the prince. “This individual came, and after beat me in my self-defense classes, he tied me up and left me and in pain. He left me!”
Blue Blood looked at her indifferently. “Oh, excuse me! I was going cut you and leave you hanging upside down in chains. Stop complaining! And, if you haven’t noticed, you managed to free yourself, even after getting beaten up; that’s progress.”
Rarity froze for a little while, and then she smiled broadly. “You’re right!”
Blue Blood rolled his eyes, and turned to his guests. “This mare here is one of the possible additions to the team.”
But Cadence cared about something else. “Tell me, Blue Blood, that thing you said to Rarity, is that what happened to you on the island?”
“I think I already said I don’t want to talk about it,” said Blue Blood coldly.
Cadence gulped. After she gave her cousin a gentle hug, she and her husband said their goodbyes.
“What do you think, Shiny?” asked Cadence as they walked away from the mansion.
“He needs professional help. But, he has done a lot for Equestria. I really don’t know what to do.”
“Well, at least with Rainbow Dash and Rarity Belle at his side, he won’t kill again so easily,” said Cadence as she mused.
Shining nodded, at least the Arrow was making some progress.
Looking at them from inside his house, Blue Blood sighed. “Sometimes I wonder if I should get a new hobby.”