After 2 days of navigation, Capper’s ship made it to the Crystal Empire. Once there, Sunlight asked someone for a map of the region and a possible guide, Sunset and Tempest were looking for warm clothes and Capper was staring at precious crystals and merchandise. They all joined on the central place excepted Capper
“Me and Sunset got clothes and food” said Tempest.
“Wait, where is Capper?” asked Sunset.
“As for me, said Sunlight. I was able to get a map of the region, but i didn’t found anyone willing to be our guide, even if i paid them. Oh well, we’ll do without one. And as for Capper, I bet my horn that he tried to steal and got caught”
“Not so fast, my friends! Said Shining Armor, who just joined them. You don’t want to go wandering in the frozen hell that is this region. It’s full of dangerous monsters and deadly hazards.”
“I’d prefer not having to go there either, said Sunlight. But our mission is too important for me and my sister.”
“Don’t worry about us, said Tempest, we can protect ourselves from a monster attack.”
“Fine, if you really have to go there, then let me at least be your guide, said Shining Armor. I’ll bring with me a convoy and a dozen of my best royal guards.”
“I don’t know, said Sunlight. On one side, a convoy is a good idea as it could take days to find that piece, on the other side, i don’t want your guards to drag us down if we face a monster.”
“They have for order to attack only if my life is at risk, said Shining Armor. They won’t get in your way during a battle.”
“In that case, said Sunlight. I accept your help with pleasure.”
Cadance landed near the group.
“Be careful, dear husband, she said to Shining. I wouldn’t support the shock of losing you.”
“Don’t worry, he said, I’ll be fine, i promise.”
Cadance looked at Tempest, Sunset and Sunlight.
“Long time no see, Tempest, said Cadance. I believe it is your first time visiting the Crystal Empire, right?”
“The city itself, yes, she answered. But not the region as a whole.”
“As for you, Sunset Shimmer, how’s your life in this other world?”
“Well, normal for the most part, she answered. We kicked the butts of a group of supervillain twice.”
“Good to know you girls also fight evil in your world as well” said the Princess of love.
“Hum, by any chance, asked Sunlight. Did your guards saw an Abyssinian wearing an elegant cape snooping around town?”
“Funny you ask that, Sunlight, said Shining. My guards indeed reported earlier catching an furry individual trying to steal jewelry. A friend of yours, i suppose”
“Yes, said Sunset. Ugh, goddamn it, Capper. He couldn’t resist to the temptation of stealing.”
“Capper? Asked Cadance. You mean, one of the heroes that helped free Canterlot from the claws of the Storm King?”
“Fortunately, said Shining, he was caught before doing the act, so i could let him go free of charge. Guards, bring the individual to me.”
Two guards arrived escorting Capper. Sunlight and Sunset gave him angry stares.
“He he he, you can’t blame an thief like me for trying, he said, As the rumors were saying, the Crystal Empire’s market security system really is the best in all of Equestria. I just wanted to verify that claim, i swear.”
“Fine, i guess i can let that one slide, said Cadance. But don’t do it again, or the punishment will be dire...Oh, sorry, Sunlight, i totally forgot about you. I have a favor to ask to you if you don’t mind!”
“If this is about one of your love schemes, forget about it” said Sunlight.
“When your quest is done, said Cadance, do you think you could babysit Flurry heart for a couple days? I would ask Twilight normally, but with her royal duties, it is no more possible.”
“Isn’t Sunburst supposed to be the one affected to Flurry?” asked Sunlight.
“He is, said the Princess, however, His work as vice-principal of the School of Friendship and his love relation with Starlight make it that him neither isn’t available. After Twilight and him, you are the third one i would trust Flurry Heart to...”
“I could bring her with me back to C.H.S, said Sunlight. How old is she, by the way?”
“5 years old” said Shining Armor.
“So, she should be able to walk and talk, i suppose, he said. My friends are going to love her. I’ll contact you when i’m done with our quest.”
The group were waiting after Shining Armor at the entrance of the city. This one finally arrived with 15 guards and 6 convoys, one for himself and his 3 bodyguards, the second and third for his soldiers, the fourth one for the group, and the last two for the food and supplies. Later, they were walking in the white, dry, cold fields of the Crystal Empire.
“Even with those clothes and my fur, i can still feel the cold, said Capper. And we are not even in the deepest part yet.”
“Bear with it, said Sunlight. I am not using one of my fire spells right now. First, because the cold sap my magic energy and second, making a heat barrier for everyone would be exhausting.”
The group decided to set camp once dusk had set.
“Let’s take a break for the day, said Shining Armor, It is very dangerous to wander at night in this icy nightmare.”
They put the convoys in a circle around the campfire and the guards were preparing food. Shining Armor casted a magic field around them.
“This is an illusion barrier, said Shining. From the outside, we are invisible to sight. So don’t worry.”
“Are you sure you could keep it on all night?” asked Sunset, worried.
“For a dome of that size, no problem, said Shining. However, it only hide us from monster’s sight. It can’t hide us from their sense of smell, so stay alerted.”
Sunset casted a magic circle around the dome.
“I just casted a detection spell, she said. If something bigger than a dog enter the circle, you will receive a telepathic alarm. It will be enough for us to get time to prepare.”
“And lastly, said Sunlight. Heat Dome...”
He casted a magic dome.
“That will block the strong cold winds, he said. I know for a fact that nights are cold.”
After eating, the group put the fire out and went in their respective caravanes to prepare to sleep. Their first night went without any problem and they continued the next day. Shining Armor saw a cave entrance with a magic len and prevented the other of his discovery.
“There is a cave not far from our location” said the Royal Prince.
“That cave must lead underground, said Sunlight. The message said that the third piece was deep beneath the coldest place in Equestria. But i must be sure it does. Is the entrance clear?”
“Seem like it, said Shining Armor. But it could be a trap, Someone will have to go there.”
“I’ll be the one, said Sunlight. I can teleport back instantly to this spot if things get sour...”
On those words, Shining ordered his guards to set the camp and Sunlight headed toward the entrance of the cave. After reaching it, he looked around and returned to the camp.
“The coast is clear, said Sunlight. I didn’t see or felt the presence of any monsters near the cave. My guess is that there is something in this cave that keep monsters away. That could mean that either a terrifying monster live in this cave or that it is protected by magic. If this is the case, a powerful artifact, relic, or creature is guarded inside the cave.”
The group started feeling uneasy.
“So, who’s going with me to explore the cave?” asked Sunlight.
“Not me, said Tempest, I’ve sworn to myself never to enter a cave again. So i’ll pass”
“I will come with you, said Capper. The more dangerous are the cave, the most precious the loot is. Count me in”
“I won’t let you go alone, said Sunset. I am coming too.”
“So do i, said Shining. If there is indeed an Artifact or relic of great power, it is my duty to give it to one of the Princesses so they can put it in a safe spot.”
Shining picked two guards to accompany him. The group, with Sunlight as the lead, teleported in front of the entrance.
“Magic Trace” said Sunlight.
The spell revealed in front of them a magic barrier.
“A barrier at the entrance? Asked one of the Crystal guards. That can’t be good...”
“It is a relatively weak barrier, said Sunlight. I won’t have any problem breaking it... Magic Cancellation!!”
The spell made the barrier disappear and the group walked in. Sunlight, Sunset, Shining and the two guards horn started glowing very brightly.
“Okay, can you explain why your horns are glowing that bright?” asked Capper.
“This is due to the concentration of magic around us, said Sunlight. Beside being a catalyst for magic, our horns also act as magic radars. They are sensible to sudden change in magic concentration in the air. Our horns glowing this bright after using a lighting spell means that any spells used in this cave will be considerably more powerful, but also harder to control.”
“Let’s just have a single one of us light the way, said Shining. Who want to do it?”
“I’ll do it, said Sunlight, creating a clone of himself. You go behind, other me. I count on you to cover the group’s butts”
“Think you can teach me that spell?” asked Shining Armor.
“You need vacations that badly, uh?” said Sunlight.
“I do, he answered. And it would also make things in bed a lot more exciting for me and Cadance.”
“I knew you would say that, said Sunlight. But this spell is not easy to learn, you have to possess great IQ and advanced knowledge about magic. I have no doubt about your intelligence, but i do about your magical knowledge. Sunset could master it fairly easily, due to her gift with magic.”
“Wait, For real?! Said Sunset, smiling. Awesome!!”
“I have a great knowledge about magic, said Shining Armor. But my affinity is Defensive magic...”
“And mine is Elemental magic, said Sunlight. Sunset’s affinity is Psychic magic. But this is not the point, i think you could master the spell, Shining, although not easily. But it’s doable for you.”
The group were walking quite fast inside the cave and soon reached another barrier. Sunlight neutralized it quickly and continued walking in head of the group.
“The magic pressure is getting heavier and more intense, said Sunlight. Any offensive spell used at this point could bury us under thousands of tons of rock and ice. I think we might be close to reaching the end of this cave.”
The group continued walking deeper and deeper inside the cave. The magic concentration soon reached a dangerously high peek. In front of them, A series of magical barriers were forming a seemingly impenetrable wall.
“That barrier, said Sunlight. It is extremely powerful. I feel a combination of 9 elemental barriers. Fire, Water, Air, Ice, Earth, Lightning, Light, Shadow and Vegetal. To destroy an elemental barrier, you have to hit it with another element strong against it. By example, Using Water magic to take out the Fire barrier, Thunder magic to take out the Water barrier and so on. But using any magic here would be a bad idea.”
“Is there another way?” asked Shining Armor.
“The Elemental Gems would be powerful enough to bypass each of those barriers, said Sunlight. But Discord took them and won’t give them to me before i’m ready.”
“So, we can’t get further, said Sunset. Unless we have those rocks. Can’t you convince Discord to lend you the gems just to get pass the barriers?”
“To answer your question, said the voice of Discord, coming out of nowhere. No, it is not the time yet for you to have them. But as a consolation gift, here’s the third piece of the map you were looking for. Don’t thank me”
The third piece and a message appeared in front of Sunlight.
“You found it? Asked Sunset. Then, what is hidden behind those barriers?”
“Let’s just say that you aren’t ready for that yet, said Discord. Well, ciao!!”
Sunlight had read the message in the meanwhile.
“The fourth piece of the map is located deep in the depts of hell” he said.
“The Tartarus, said Shining Armor. Well, Let’s return home, then.”