//------------------------------// // Chapter 21 // Story: I Love the Star in You // by Twilyx360 //------------------------------// Late into the night. Argyle and Shining’s eyes went wide with wonder as they saw a lit up thriving metropolis of a city in the distance. “Oh my pony…” said Argyle. “Jeez, did they have an economic surge!” Said Shining. The train pulled in over the city. And thankfully Nopony seemed to notice. As the train pulled into the station. Just below what looked to be a royal palace. The Zephyr Heights train station was equally in ruin. Nevertheless. They both got out of the train, sat on a bench and admired the city from the huge window in front. “It’s beautiful.” Said Shining. “It is love.” Argyle snuggled into her and kissed her. Suddenly a big screen on one of the buildings lit up to a news reporter. “Hello Zephyr Heights. We hope you were all able to cope during these troubling times. And due to this unfortunate circumstance. We are preparing slowly but surely for Princess Haven’s coronation. Ever since the unfortunate betrayal of Prince Levitz Two weeks ago. He and his followers somehow avoided arrest and are currently at large so if anypony finds them anywhere please report to the authorities. That is all on Pegas I. News.” “That was odd.” Said Argyle. “I agree.” Said Shining. “So this place. Is it a monarchy?” Asked Shining. “I guess so.” “So where is the castle?” Asked Shining. “I think we just traveled into it.” Said Argyle. “Well, isn't the shrine outside the city?” Asked Argyle. “It is but I… I don’t know Argyle. How about we sleep tonight and think about this tomorrow?” Asked Shining. Argyle nodded yes. The two cuddled together right there as they slept for the night. === The next day the two decided to use a nearby elevator shaft in the station to travel to the mountain tops below the city. They put on their backpacks and disguises. And made it down. After following the map. They had indeed found the shrine but not in the way they expected. The Pegasus shrine was already raised out of the ground. But it was also severely damaged. The trees on top were bent out of shape. And the structure crumbled on the left side. “What in the world happened here!?” Asked Argyle. They went inside and got their prism stones to looked around. Just like outside there were scratch marks and cracks. It was nothing like the other two shrines. And when they finally got into the central chamber. They found more of the same. However the main pedestal that held the crystal was already raised. But the most concerning part. “It’s gone!” They both shouted. They walked towards the pedestal. Then they started looking around for clues. “Argyle look!” Argyle immediately ran to where shining was. And in front of her was a feather. “There’s another one!” Said Argyle pointing his hoof over to another feather. Suddenly finding feathers scattered all over the place. “The pegasi?” Said Argyle. “Maybe they just weren’t prepared for the underground.” “Maybe… but that’s all the proof we need to know to figure out who took it.” Said Shining. “But where? Are we just going to blend into the populace and ask around?” Asked Argyle. “It wouldn’t be the first time. And well we have to start somewhere. And I think I know exactly where to start.” Said Shining. === They walked back to the elevator taking it up to the castle floors this time. They walked out of the elevator into an empty hallway. “The elevator is connected to the castle? Maybe the whole castle was a transport hub.” Asked Shining. “More importantly, is this going to work? Don’t we need to be guards or something? Or make fake ids you know. Something official?” Asked Argyle. “I know love, I know.” Said Shining. Suddenly a voice called out. “Hey you!” The two briefly screamed and saw. A regular looking Pegasus. “Um. Hi?” Asked the pegasus. “Hi.” They both said. “How are you here? You’re not a guard right?” Asked Shining. “Uh… no I’m just a regular citizen taking a look at the Zephyr Heights museum. This part of the castle is a public place.” Shining and Argyle looked at each other nervously then at their backpacks. Then back at the Pegasus. “A Museum huh? Say uh. Do you know where the Pegasus crystal is?” Asked Shining awkwardly. “What?” Asked the Pegasus. “This thing.” Argyle pulled out a picture from the backpack with his hoof shaking. “Oh that looks like the Pegasus crown. Or part of it anyway.” Said the Pegasus. “Ok then where’s the crown?” Asked Argyle. “Being kept in heavy guard until the next Queen is crowned.” Said the Pegasus. “It was on display for a short time though. Until Prince Levitz made security nervous. By the way, you might want to watch those backpacks. Make sure they don’t get confiscated.” Shining was just about to ask. “Who’s prince Lev-“ and she was cut off. “Actually thanks uhhh we’ll be going now.” Said Argyle The two got to a hallway and they started panting and breathing heavily. “Oh my pony! That was so awkward!” Said Argyle. “Yeah. I felt like I was gonna pass out. But it looks like he thinks he’s a Pegasus alright.” Said Shining leaning on the wall. “Why didn’t you let me ask the question?” Asked Shining “Hun. Remember that news report last night?” Asked Argyle. “Ooooohhhhhhh.” She said in realization. “Everypony here probably knows about this. Prince… if we asked what this is all about it would be like we were living under rocks.” Said Shining. “Exactly. But I think we should still figure out who he is. And where the Pegasus crystal is. There’s just so much we don’t know. And we don’t want to blow our cover right?” Said Argyle. “Maybe we can start there.” Shining said, pointing her hoof towards another hallway. There was a sign that said. “Zephyr Heights Queens Gallery.” “Good eye” said Argyle as they both walked into the gallery.