//------------------------------//
// Cousin Katana and the Crystal Heart 
// Story: The Story of a Royal Guard: A Change of Seasons [OUTDATED] 
// by Himntor 
//------------------------------//

	Well, that was an interesting race. I'm just going to skip the details of what happened, but I'll say it involved a whole lot of ridiculous flying maneuvers. Rainbow Dash won, by a mere second and a half. Right before the finish line I had used a special speed boost spell I learned on my sword, the problem is that it took off without me. The sword flew past Rainbow Dash and crash landed, burying itself in the ground, while I flew through the air and finished second, barely managing to catch myself with magic before ending up like my sword. I still don't know how I was sucked right out of my sword with that spell.

It was past dark now, I had already gone to bed. Getting to sleep was tough this night, I hadn't planned what to do for tomorrow and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I seriously needed a hobby, all I seemed to want to do is get back to my job.

I managed a few hours of sleep, until a little past midnight when I heard some creaking. I knew my house made noises from time to time, but this noise caught my ear and woke me up, it was not a natural sound. I sat up in bed and looked around, my eyes scanning the darkness for any signs of movement. I heard a few more creaking noises. Somepony was definitely in my house. 

I slowly got to my hooves and walked to the door into the living room, I opened it a crack and peeked into the room. Sure enough, I could make out the silhouette of a mare. Who the hay does this pony think she is? I opened my door slowly and silently walked into the living room, I flipped on the light switch and immediately spoke up.

"Who are you and what are you doing in my house?" I demanded.

The mare froze for half a second as if being caught with her hoof in the cookie jar, but quickly turned around to face me. "Cousin Swordy! It's me, Katana!" She spoke with a bright smile.

That caught me off guard. "What in Equestria are you doing here?!" Cousin Katana, or fully known as Katana Lightning Shield, my father's brother's daughter. 

This mare was the bane of my existence as a young colt. Her older brother Stone Shield only made it worse. In fact, Stoney (My nickname for him) got his cutie mark because of me and her. Katana had gotten on my last nerve, and before I managed to get her for good, Stoney came in and beat me up before I could, earning his cutie mark in defending others.

Katana was a lavender coated pegasus, which was funny considering her brother was an earth pony and I was a unicorn. I come from the more noble side of the family, the rest of my family descends from a mix of weather ponies and settlers. Anyway, she had a very short purple mane but a longer tail, both had a stripe of orange running down them, which was curious as I remember her mane and tail being purple only. And lastly she had turquoise eyes, which to be honest would make most other colts go crazy over. Her cutie mark was a turquoise wing with a yellow lightning bolt going down its side.

"Aww, is that any way to greet your favorite cousin? I was in the neighborhood and decided to drop by," said Katana.

"In the middle of the night?" I asked, my teeth clenching.

"It's a surprise visit. Obviously you wouldn't be surprised enough if I came by during the day."

I sighed. "I'm sure I would be. Seriously Katana, what are you doing here? You don't just go sneaking into pony's houses like this."

Katana rolled her eyes playfully. "And you would? I've heard a few stories, like that one time you broke into the Canterlot library, or even the library here in Ponyville. And if I recall, that was all during the middle of the night too."

"That was different, it was an emergency and all of Equestria was in danger because of Nightmare Moon, and I was trying to find a way to stop her. And, in fact, I am a Royal Guard, so I can do that."

"Yes, yes, and then you failed that to six random mares and now they are out and about saving Equestria every other year." She poked my side. "You really need to step it up a notch, Cous', I'm beginning to think you've gone soft."

"Yeah? Well how about I prove you wrong and shove you out the door, okay?" I began to push my cousin towards the door.

She started fighting back. "Wait! There's still something I have to tell you, something important, please don't throw me out!"

I stopped pushing. "I'm listening."

Katana hesitated a moment. "I... need your help. I made a mistake. If you throw me out, the guards might find me and I can't risk that."

"The guards? Katana, I am a guard. If you made a mistake you need to tell me, otherwise I can't help you."

"Not now, I can't explain. I just need a favor, I need transport to the Crystal Empire and I can't fly there myself because I might get caught, you're the only one who can get me there safely with your sword."

I couldn't take her seriously anymore. "The Crystal Empire!? You want me to get you all the way to the Crystal Empire with absolutely no explanation why? No, there is no way I'm taking you all the way over there. In fact I think I might escort you back to Cloudsdale, where you belong." 

"NO! Please don't take me back, I hate that stupid city!" Katana was on her legs practically begging me. "Look, I'll do anything if you would just get me to the Crystal Empire."

"Tell me why you need to get there and I will think about it."

Katana sighed. "Fine. I stole... something. I need to return it but if I'm caught the guards will arrest me, they don't know that it was an accident! That's why I came to you, I need your help because of your position in the Royal Guard."

Theft from the Crystal Empire? This should be good. "What is this 'something' that you stole?"

"Oh, it's nothing, just some invaluable little crystal."

"Katana... what is it?"

"Ugh, you're impossible. Fine, I stole the..." Katana finished with unintelligible mumbling.

"The what?"

More mumbling.

"I can't hear you, speak up."

She stomped her hoof on the ground. "THE CRYSTAL HEART! OKAY? I stole thee Crystal Heart, okay?"

I stared at her blankly. "What's the Crystal Heart?"

"You don't know what the Crystal Heart is? I thought you were one of the first ponies that got to go to the Empire?"

"I wasn't there for that long, I was mostly on the outside scouting the area. What is the Crystal Heart?"

"It's a big crystal in the shape of a heart that sits in the center of the Empire. The Crystal Ponies power it somehow and it protects them, like a defense mechanism."

"What? So you're telling me you stole their entire defense mechanism?!"

"Relax, I swapped it with a replica so no pony would notice. King Sombra was defeated anyway, so there's no threat. I just need to get back so I can return the crystal and no pony would be the wiser."

"How come you know all about the Crystal Empire? This all happened just a few days ago."

Katana rolled her eyes. "Let's just say I've been keeping a close eye on the Royal Guard and been doing a lot of research on the new Empire many of them are being transferred to. Are you going to help me or do I have to drag you kicking and screaming?"

I sighed and moved towards the door. "I guess I don't have a choice. Let's just get this over with so I can put it behind me, come on."

"Wait, I don't have the Crystal with me right now, I need to get to Canterlot first and get it. I left it behind just in case."

"Whatever, at least it's on the way." I walked out the front door and made sure the coast was clear. I brought out my sword and transformed it into a surfboard with a compartment on the bottom large enough for a pony to fit inside. "Get inside, I'll fly you to Canterlot."

Katana eyed the sword cautiously but stepped into the compartment. "A bit uncomfortable, but it's better than noth-"

I cut her off by transforming the compartment slightly and giving her a bit more space to move.

"Oh, well that's much better. Thank you." Katana snuggled right into the sword as comfortably as she could.

"Don't mention it. Alright, so where in Canterlot did you hide the Crystal exactly?"

"Buried it in one of the field's outside of Canterlot, under a large rock."

"Perfect, I think I know exactly which rock you're talking about. Hold on tight." I hopped on my sword and slowly levitated into the sky. "Are you good down there?"

"I'm not a baby, step on it you idiot! Even I can fly faster than this." 

I let out a grunt. "Right, I keep forgetting." I fueled my sword with magic and flew us off in the direction of Canterlot.

The flight was slow, it took us about an hour and a half to reach Canterlot as I was still tired and couldn't get enough magic flowing into my sword to make us go faster. That, and my cousin's added weight made it a lot harder.

"Alright, we're here." I flew down and landed in the clearing outside of Canterlot. 

It was still dark, and the sun shown no sign of rising. The light of the moon illuminated the area around us, making it slightly easier to see. I transformed my sword and let Katana loose, who had fallen asleep. She fell with an 'Oomph'. 

"You could have woken me up instead," said Katana, rubbing her forehead.

I snorted. "I thought I just did."

"Very funny. Let's get the Crystal and then we can get out of here."

She led the way over towards a large boulder where she said to have buried the Crystal Heart. She searched the ground and found the right spot of dirt.

"This is it." Katana began digging up the ground with her hooves. I shook my head and pushed her aside, bringing my sword over and transforming it into a shovel, and began digging.

"Right, I forgot you had a magical shape changing weapon." Katana let out a short chuckle.

"Yes, it's quite useful if you hadn't noticed." I kept on digging until I had already gotten about two feet deep. "Are you sure this is the spot? How far down did you dig?"

Katana glanced around nervously. "Uhh, just dig a bit more, I'm sure it's down there somewhere."

I looked at her curiously and continued using my magic to dig. Another foot deeper and still no sign of the Crystal Heart.

"I don't get it! It's supposed to be down there. Somepony must have found it and took it!" said Katana.

I let out an exasperated sigh. "You've got to be kidding me! Do you know how dead I am if I can't find the Crystal and bring it back to the Crystal Empire? Very, very dead. I could get fired, and you could be sent to prison!"

"Am I interrupting something?" A voice called from behind.

Both Katana and I nearly jumped out of our hooves. We turned around to search for the pony who had spoken, to find Princess Luna standing over us.

"Oh uh... Princess Luna, good to see you!" I answered, taking a short bow. I nudged Katana and whispered: "Don't say a word."

"What are you doing up this late at night?" asked Luna. "And who is this, a friend of yours? Perhaps a special somepony?"

I looked at Katana embarrassed. "No, she's my cousin. We were stargazing, your Highness."

"And digging," said Luna, pointing towards the large hole we had dug. 

"You're a terrible liar, Cous'" whispered Katana.

Luna stepped closer. "Lieutenant, is there something you are not telling me?"

"No, of course not Princess. Why would I ever?" I tried to remain strong in my speech, but it was difficult keeping secrets from a Princess.

Regrettably, Luna called my bluff. "I do not appreciate being lied to, Lieutenant Sheld. Your behavior should reflect your ranking. I can tell something is wrong, and I would wish that you tell me right away."

"Yes, Princess... I'm sorry." I motioned to the hole. "My cousin and I are searching for a specific crystal that she lost, it was supposed to be buried out here but it seems that somepony has found and taken it."

"Do you mean this crystal?" asked Luna, pulling out a large heart shaped crystal.

Katana and I stared at the Crystal and Luna for a moment. "Uh... yeah. That's the one," said Katana.

Luna chuckled. "Would you mind explaining to me what the Crystal Heart was doing buried here instead of being in the Crystal Empire where it belongs?"

I was surprised she did not seem upset. I was about to explain what happened when my cousin cut in.

"It was me, Princess," started Katana with a bow of respect. "I stole the Crystal Heart. I didn't know it was so important when I did, and thought nopony would miss it, but soon I learned I was wrong, so I buried it here to keep it safe while I got help from my cousin so I could get it back safely. I'm sorry about all this trouble, if I'm to be punished then I will accept my fate."

Wow, my jaw nearly dropped at her answer. I didn't expect Katana to fess up like that, but I was proud, so I gave her a smile and comforting pat on the back. She weakly smiled back.

"I see," said Luna. "I will return the Crystal Heart myself and explain what happened, but I want you both to tell Celestia what has happened."

I nodded and bowed. "Yes, Princess Luna, we will go immediately. Thank you." 

We both waved as Princess Luna flew off into the night sky.

Katana sighed. "Well, that didn't go as expected but at least the Crystal Heart will be returned. Come on, let's go see what punishment Princess Celestia will have for me."

"You did good, Katana, I'm proud of you. Even though you did mess up pretty badly. Celestia is very understanding, I'm sure she'll show you some mercy."

"Mercy is probably the last thing I need."

We both walked into Canterlot and towards the castle. The streets were nearly empty, except for the Night Guards who patrolled the streets. We entered the castle throne room and requested to see Celestia on an urgent matter. It took a few minutes for her to arrive.

"Yes, Lieutenant? What is it?" asked Celestia.

"My cousin, Katana, can explain." I pointed towards Katana and she stepped forward to the Princess.

"Your Highness, I've made a grave mistake," said Katana. "I stole the Crystal Heart from the Crystal Empire, not knowing it was so important. Once I found out about it, I immediately regretted it and tried to get it back where it belonged, but there were too many guards in my way, so..."

I continued for her. "She came to me for help on getting the Crystal back, but when we went to dig it up it had been already been found by your sister, Princess Luna. She had just left to take it back herself."

Katana bowed low. "I am very sorry for what happened, I will accept any punishment I deserve."

Celestia looked at my cousin and back at me. "Lieutenant Shield, thank you for trying to help, you are free to leave. As for you, young mare, I have something you can do to make up for your mistake. Meet with me in the morning, I will arrange a place for you to stay the night, the guard will escort you."

"Thank you, Princess," Katana looked back at me. "Thank you too, Cous'. I'll see ya around." 

Katana waved goodbye as she was escorted out of the throne room, I returned with a salute. I left the castle and found my tent around the barracks and slept there for the rest of the night.

The next morning I immediately flew back down to Ponyville. Everything was back to normal. I touched down at my house and was about to open the door when I heard a crowd of shouting in the distance, getting slowly closer. I looked around and was able to see a large swarm of pink heading my way, which seemed to be the source of the shouting.

"Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun!"

"You've got to be joking," I said.

"Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun!"

The swarm of pink continued heading my way.

"Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun!"

It was a swarm of Pinkie Pie's.