//------------------------------//
// Magic and Crystal Hearts 
// Story: The Pony-Filled Life of Alexis Creek 
// by NightmareMoon 
//------------------------------//

	I didn't know whether I could trust Trixie or not, and I was confused. 

She did seem so scared when I saw her with Sombra, but is that alone enough to convince myself to trust her? How much exactly did her magical skill improve since last time - where she was already better at magic than the average pony?

Not to mention that she's teamed up with Sombra. It doesn't really even matter if she's really a good pony, since Sombra could make her do anything, whether it's against her will or with her permission. I sigh and put down the book. I'll think about this ming-boggling issue later, but for now I have to try to find something magical enough to keep Sombra out of the magical boundaries surrounding the Crystal Empire.

I find another book, entitled "The Magical History of the Crystal Empire; Why Love Can Save Your Life!"

Well, that was handy. Because that's exactly what I needed to find. I clear my throat and slowly start reading, this book being even harder than the other two. Well, technically that last one was more of a letter, but same thing. "Love is a matter that is mistook for something much less powerful than it actually is. Love is an emotional energy that can be absorbed like magic, if enough is given. However, to turn love into power - yes, it is possible - you must use an amplifier. The most common amplifier seen in every day life is the Crystal Heart, shown every year at the Crystal Fair, which is meant to spread love and therefore protect the Empire from outside dangers and conceal it almost completely from the outside world."

I grin. "I guess I know how I'm going to save Equestria."

*			*			*

Princess Cadence looks terrible.

No, not terrible as in "her fashion sense is ghastly" which it isn't, but terrible as in sleep deprived, weak, and didn't take a break from anything in the past week. 

"Hey, Princess," I say, kicking a rock. A Crystal rock, at that. I've been in the Crystal Empire long enough - about an hour - to know that everything here is made of Crystals, and if you don't like it too bad. The local folk are very protective of their Crystal stuff. And very proud of it, too. Most of the gift shops here really useless stuff like "Crystal Chocolate," which tastes terrible, "Crystal Breath Mints," which Winona needs to try, "Crystal Pebbles," which I am currently kicking, and the ever-so-useless "Crystal Replica of a Crystal Pen." It doesn't even work. But it's Crystal, so naturally it must be great!

The princess opened her eyes for a second and then closed them. She sighed. "Hello, Alexis. Nice to meet you at last. Shining has told me all about you..."

I smile. "I'm nothing special. Anyway, I need something. I won't ask you for it, since it's magical and I don't want you to lose your strength, but I just want to know if it's possible."

"I'm so tired," Cadence sighed. Fearing that meant a no, I looked down. I guess I could ask Shining Armor. It was a silly idea, anyway. Cadence is using every single ounce of her strength to do this, and I'm being so careless. "But I'll answer your question. What is it?"

I brightened up instantly. "I've been reading about magic," I explained, "and I was wondering if you could sort of compress magic and seal it up in a container, so that maybe I could use it for a teleport or something. Or basically any kind of magic I would need. Apparently I do have magic, but I have no idea how to use it. Well, I sort of do, but it's nothing to be relying on."

I had tried all day to become un-invisible, and after straining for a long time I was transparent, but at least visible. Cadence's eyes fluttered open in shock. "That's a genius idea! I can't believe I never tried that before. It will probably work. Probably. But there's no time to test the idea. You need to get that Crystal Heart. I have arranged for some of my friends to put up the Crystal Fair, but we can not wait any longer. Ask Shining to try to compress his magic and put it in some sort of container so that it can be used. But make him promise me not to use too much!"

There was sadness in Cadence's eyes. "I don't want him to overwork. He's already so tired. We're all tired, in fact, but him the most. He's been freaking out because of me - taking care of everything I need, and when I ask he never complains."

I nod. "Thanks, Cadence." With that, I leave.

*			*			*

Cadence was right: Shining was really stressed. 

When I came into his "office" (which was actually just a tiny room in the local Crystal Inn he got for half price), papers were thrown everywhere; everything was a mess; he had his head in his hooves. "What am I going to do?" he muttered.

"Um, hi," I said. He quickly turned his head, eyes wide, pointing at me with his hoof. Guard's instinct, I guess. Then he relaxed. 

"Oh, just you," he said. "Sorry. I've had the worst day. Actually, the worst month. In my entire life. What do you need?"

"I asked Cadence if it was possible to contain magic," I explained. "She said yes, and asked me to ask you if you could put some magic in a container. Not quite sure how that works, actually. But... She said to make you promise you wouldn't overstrain yourself, because you've been working so hard. Anyway, can you do it?"

He blinked, taking it all in. I did go a bit fast. What if he wasn't up to the job? "Sure," he said. "That seems simple enough. There isn't a spell to do it - it's just pure magic."

And with that, his horn lit up...