//------------------------------// // Chapter Three // Story: My Little Pony - Equestria Boy III - Threat at the Crystal Empire // by OliverSparkle //------------------------------// In Ponyville during almost midnight, six creatures walking towards Twilight’s castle, well two were flying towards the castle, because the three flyers were a dragon, hippogriff and griffon, while the other three creatures were a pony, yak and a Changeling. Sunset Shimmer sent them a letter a few hours ago asking them to come round to Twilight’s castle as soon as possible. They were all confuse by it, but decided to go and see what was up. “Do you guys know why Sunset Shimmer wants us to come over to Twilight’s castle?” Sandbar asked as they shook their heads in response. “Nope,” said Ocellus, “My letter was the same as yours. It didn’t say why we need to come to Twilight’s castle as soon as possible or what’s going on.” “Yona confuse by what pony just said in the letter,” added Yona. “I guess we’ll just have to see when we get there,” Gallus said as they all continued their walk towards the castle of Friendship. As they got to the castle, they opened the front doors and walked inside as Gallus and Sandbar shut the doors behind them. There they saw Sunset Shimmer standing in the hallway waiting for them. “Hello everycreature,” she said politely, “So good to you all. Sorry for having you lot coming here during your holiday break.” “It’s no problem at all Sunset,” said Sandbar as they all smiled at her, “But we do have one question though, why did you need us to come here? Is there something wrong?” Sunset nodded before answering, “Yes, I’m afraid so, Sandbar. We were at the Crystal Empire, about to enjoy our week there of fun, until we were told that, Cold Wind had escape from jail and is out there somewhere in Equestria.” The Young Six all gasped in shock as they couldn’t believe that the abusive father had escaped and is out there somewhere. “Oh my gosh!” Shouted Silverstream in shock, “What about Lightning?! Is the little sweetie okay?!” “Lightning’s fine,” Sunset answered, “Sunburst and Starlight are looking after him while we sort Cold Wind out.” Smolder was more worried about Lightning than her friends were, Lightning was her special somepony and she didn’t want him ending up what happened at the Grand Galloping Gala two years back. “I have to see him to make sure he’s doing okay!” “We’ll try to make arrangements for you to visit him. But right now, we need all the help we can get to capture Cold Wind, and protect Lightning from him if he’s anywhere near the Crystal Empire. Think you six can help with that?” The Young Six grew a serious look on their faces as they nodded for a yes to Sunset’s question. “Yeah,” said Gallus, “We can.” Meanwhile at Klugetown, inside Capper’s house, Capper was laying on his bed while reading one of the books from his shelves as he then turned over to the next page. Just then, an dark golden portal opens up far near his bed as Oliver and Flurry Heart flew out of the portal and Oliver landed on the ground safely while Flurry Heart continued to fly near her big brother. “Capper,” Oliver began, “We need you at the Crystal Empire now.” Capper was still reading his book but heard what Oliver just said to him, after a few seconds of silence, Capper finally spoke but still looking at his book, “No, and hello Oliver, good to see you again.” “Lightning Twister’s in trouble,” Oliver added. “Just ground him and send him to the room he’s sleeping in at the Crystal Empire,” Capper said while still looking at his book. Oliver and Flurry Heart looked at each other confusingly, after hearing what Capper just said, for a few seconds before turning back to Capper. “It’s not like that, Capper. His father, Cold Wind has escaped from prison and is somewhere in Equestria probably in the search for Lightning.” Capper stared at his book for three seconds before looking straight after hearing what Oliver just said about Cold Wind escaping and searching for Lightning. “Oh, well, then that’s different.” Capper closed his book and placed it on the small desk next to his bed before climbing off his bed and walking towards Oliver and Flurry Heart. “That’s why we’re here,” explained Oliver, “We need all the help we can to protect Lightning in case Cold Wind’s somewhere in the Crystal Empire searching for him. And you’re his new father, he needs you.” “Well what are we waiting for? We need to find this child abuser and protect Lightning,” said Capper in a serious tone. “Right, come on let’s go,” Oliver said before they all went into the portal as it then closed leaving nothing but an empty house with no creature in it. At the Crystal Empire, Twilight, the sisters, Shining, Cadence, Constantine and Vincent were in the throne room waiting for Oliver and Flurry Heart to return with Capper as the dark golden portal appeared and out came Oliver, with Flurry Heart on his back, and Capper running out of it as the portal closes behind them. “Capper,” Twilight said happily, “So good to see you again.” “It’s good to see you again as well Twilight,” replied Capper, “So uh, where’s Lightning Twister? Is he okay?” Celestia nodded in response to his question. “Lightning’s okay, he’s at Sunburst’s place with Starlight,” she said. “What about Fluttershy?” He asked. “She’s in her room I believe,” Cadence answered, “She is a bit worried about him, but she is doing okay at the moment.” “I have to go see her,” said Capper before running out of the throne room leaving everyone in the room either confused or in shock as Oliver then whispered into his aunt’s ear. “I sense Capper might be in love with Fluttershy.” Twilight nodded in agreement. Just then, Flurry Heart let out a baby yawn before laying down on her brother’s back. Cadence giggled before saying, “I think a little baby alicorn is getting sleepy. Let’s get you to bed, Flurry Heart.” Cadence and Oliver walked out of the throne room with the others following them as it was also bedtime for everypony now. Meanwhile at Sunburst’s house, Starlight was sitting on a rocking chair in her green robe with Lightning sleeping in her hooves while rocking back and forth in the rocking chair and drinking her hot cocoa, Sunburst was in his dark blue robe, with light blue stars on them, sitting a normal chair next to Starlight while reading a book and drinking his hot cocoa. After finishing their cocoa, Sunburst closed his book and looked at Starlight as she looked at him back. “Time for bed then,” Sunburst said, “I’ll go place our cups in the sink while you go put Lightning in bed.” Starlight nodded as she kissed Sunburst on the cheek before giving him her cup as she then got off the rocking chair while gently holding Lightning in her right hoof and started walking upstairs to the spare room while Sunburst walked into the kitchen. Starlight opened the door to the spare room, it was medium size to fit about three ponies with the same green coloured wall as the living room with a medium brown bed with dark blue sheets and pillow with light blue stars on them with a desk, with a candle on it, next to the bed. Starlight walked towards the bed, lit the candle so Lightning doesn’t get scared of the dark, gently placed the sleeping Lightning into the bed and pulled the sheets onto him with her magic before giving him a kiss on the forehead and gently stroking his mane with her hoof. “Sweet dreams, little one. I love you.” She gave him one more kiss on the forehead before leaving the room and quietly closing the door behind her as Lightning slept peacefully under Luna’s beautiful moon.