//------------------------------//
// Chapter Three: Following the Twilight 
// Story: Crystal Night: The Shadow Prince 
// by Crystal Night 
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The group of ponies made their way into the castle, Celestia and Twilight seemed to be lost in a deep conversation. As for Crystal, he decided to hang out behind everypony and watch the whole scene.
It was very clear to him that those two had a deep connection. He was a bit surprised that none of his spies had any information about these ponies.
He managed to get bits and pieces, like where they came from and what they were doing, but nothing too important.
It would seem like they have no idea about these Elements.
As soon they arrived the throne room Celestia glanced at the captain.
"If you don't mind captain I would like to speak in private with them."

Crystal nodded, seeing no point to argue.
"Of course your Highness." He made his way around the corner and waited for the sound of the door closing. The disguised guard looked around, making he was indeed alone, he turned himself into a shadow and entered the room, quickly making his way into a nearby shadow in order not to get spotted.
From his point he could see and listen very well. This spell certainly had its use.
"I have a favor to ask all of you" - begun Celestia. "As you know the war against the Crystal Empire isn't going the way that me or my sister wished, we haven't been able to break into their territory."

"The Crystal Empire isn't that large, it's impossible for them to have more soldiers than you." - stated Twilight. Part of it was true. The empire itself wasn't large, it was mostly surrounded by snow, but due to the harsh freezing weather it was very difficult to survive that long out there, only a few animals could do that, like the snow wolves.
"That may be true, however we just made a recent discovery. There have been rumors about somepony leading Sombra's army. That pony releaved himself to us. By the look of things, it seems like he has a pupil of his own."

"Why would he have a pupil? Is he afraid to fight? I bet he's a coward." Crystal Night glanced at the blue pegasus, her time would come, just not now.

"King Sombra is no coward, clearly he's planning something and his pupil knows very well how to pushed us back every time we tried."

Rarity trotted closer. "Maybe there's a chance his being controlled by him."

The princess of the sun pondered about that, it was very possible, but at the same time she felt his dark magic. Unlike the other ponies that were being mind-controlled, they didn't carry any trace of dark magic even if they were unicorns.
"I believe his doing by his own will. As for why, it's too soon to understand." 
Celestia descended from her throne and cleared her throat. "What I'm about to tell can never leave this room, for we do not know who to trust." Everypony nodded. "My sister and I have decided to use the Elements of Harmony, it has helped us plenty of times in the past, unfortunately we can't no longer harness that power."

Elements of Harmony? Never heard of that. He did his own little research on Equestrian history and never came across this. Well it was possible that maybe some of the books were outdated or concealed that part. If that was the case, then why would they hide that?
"In all my studies, I never found that." - stated the purple unicorn, catching Crystal's attention. "None of my books mentioned those elements. What do they do and how they work?"

"I'm willing to explain all that," a quick knocking on the door caught everypony by surprise. "Come in."
A group of nobles and diplomats made their way inside and bowed to her.
"Your Highness, we are sorry for interrupting but there's some urgent news that needs to be discussed." The solar monarch sighed, the explanation would have to hold. "I'm sorry my little ponies, I must attend to this first. I'll tell my staff to get the guest rooms prepared." 
The mane six bowed and quickly left the room, leaving the newcomers and their princess.
I must learn more about these artifacts, perhaps the royal library has the information that I need. He snaked his way out the room into an empty area, ceasing his spell. With this disguised with was quite easy to trot around Canterlot without been detected, however he had to keep his magical presence very low, otherwise one of the princesses could sense it. It wasn't the first time he went to this library looking either for knowlegde or simply something to read in his spare time. The library back home wasn't very packed with books and he has read all of them, at least twice by now. It was one of the few reasons coming here was worth it. Needless to say, more often than normal, he would lose track of time in the middle of these books and shelves. Not that he cared anyway.
"Now let's see if we can find the right book, it shouldn't take long."




One hour later

The dark prince sighed, this search was proving to be quite the challenge and annoying to say the least. He already saw many books but none had any hint or information. How hard was it really to find that?
"Ouch!" A noise in the next bookshelf got his attention. He took a glance around the corner and once more saw the purple mare from earlier, who was rubbing the top of her head. "That book was heavier than I thought."
Twilight went to grab the book, but it was already in somepony magical grasp.
"I'm going to guess this fell on your head, right?"

"Oh, Captain Strike, I'm sorry I didn't noticed you."
He shook his head.
"No need to apolagize, I was nearby when I heard something."

"I was looking for a book, when one fell on my head." - she blushed softly.
Crystal placed the book back on it's place and smiled.
"Mistakes happen, say what book are you looking for?"

Twilight scratched the back of her head.
"Well, I can't really say what it's for, but I'm looking for a book about magical artifacts."

"Magical artifacts? Hmm, I'm sure we can find one, if you let me help of course." Also that way perhaps he could get what he wanted.
"I suppose two heads searching it's better than one."

"I'm glad I can help," - he grinned, this foolish mare had no idea. "afterall I do like to spend quite some time in the library."

"Wait, are you a bookworm too?"
He stared at Twilight. Bookworm? She did call him a worm?
"Excuse me?"

"Oh sorry, it means you really like to read books. Like a lot. My friend, Rainbow often calls me that."

"Oooh I see, well in that case, yes. I do enjoy spending my time reading. Knowledge doesn't occupy space. It helps to calm my nerves." He wasn't really lying about that part though.
"It's because of the war right?" The captain responded with a nod. "I have always been a bookworm really, I know what you mean."
The duo spent the whole afternoon searching through books, while discussing spells and other threories, such as time travel.
Crystal was admired by the mare's knowledge on a lot of subjects. He never met somepony who had such a deep grasp, it was actually enjoyable. 
Too bad she's on the wrong side.

"It looks like this search was a dead end." - Twilight was growing tired, meanwhile Crystal's eyes scanned the pages of the book when it suddenly the words 'Elements of Harmony' caught his immediate attention. This is it! So let's see, the Elements of Harmony are six supernatural artifacts representing the aspects of harmony.  The prince rolled his eyes.  They represent honesty, loyalty, generosity, kindness, laughter and the last one is magic. However the effects are non-lethal and temporary, usually a form of banishment or imprisonment. Was their plan to banish King Sombra? If so, why would the princesses need their help? Unless...
"Ah! This so annoying! So many books and yet I can't find what I need."
He could feel her anger, frustation. Usually he would paid no mind to it, but it was slightly disturbing to him. He glanced down at the books on his hooves. Crystal let out a sigh. He shouldn't.
"This is the chance we have been waiting for. He will never know."

He didn't want to betray his master, but at the same time he couldn't stand the mare's feelings. He glanced at Twilight making sure she wasn't looking. When the coast was clear, he tossed the book aside closer to Twilight, with his magic he made sure the book was still on the same page.
He quickly grabbed another book and pretented to be reading.
Twilight turned around only to find an open book inches from her, as she picked it up, her eyes drifted to the royal guard who seemed to be lost in his reading, or so she thought.
After a few seconds of silence, a loud gasp was heard quickly followed by cheers.
"Yes, yes! Finally, this is what I needed."
Setting the book down, he gazed at Twilight, pretending he didn't know what was going on. "Did you find what you wanted?"

"Yes, now I can learn more about I need to know. Thanks for your help captain."
He smiled back, her happiness was something entirely new to him. It felt...nice.
"I'm happy to hear I manage to help."
What happened next caught him completely off-guard. Is she...hugging me? He didn't noticed she moved closer to him, when did she do that? Nopony ever hugged him in a very, very long time. The touch of somepony else, the warm hug, the feelings that threatened to rise again. 

He needed to leave. Now.

The distressed guard cleared his throat, fortunately getting her attention.
"Uh? Oh, sorry sorry." - she let go of the stallion, clearly embarassed by herself.

"N-No worries," - Crystal lied. "Now if you don't mind I have uhm tasks...to do." He bowed his head and made a fast exit.
"Thanks for the help again."
As she dove into her newfound research, a living shadow gazed at her.
"You did the right thing."

He narrowed his eyes and disappeared out of sight.
"We shall see."