//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 (What’s faire in the Crystal Empire?) // Story: The Second Year; Gravidity // by TwilightsmyMare //------------------------------// "This is it!" I was jerked awake suddenly by Twilights excited cry, I rolled over to see the suns light just coming up and Twi’s big grin as she showed me the book 'History of the Crystal Empire' I smiled pulling her down to me kissing her. "I thought you were going to sleep?" She blushed nuzzling against me. "I did...! For a bit, but Cadence...!" I kissed her again. "I love you." "I love you." Everyone gathered and we looked through the book quickly before rushing back to the palace. We gathered in the throne room as Twilight explained about what we had found. "A 'Crystal Faire'. According to this book, it was established by their first queen and became their most important tradition. The Faire was held every year to 'renew the spirit of love and unity in the empire so they could protect it from harm'. We all could put it together. Everything we need to know is in the book!" "That sounds promising right honey?" Armor nudged Cadence gently but she didn't respond it looked like any spark of energy she had left was going into keeping the shield up. I didn't know how much longer she could last, I knew Alicorn’s were powerful but she had been going for days with no sleep and little appetite for food. We gathered in a small meeting room to make a plan. Apparently even here the pony penchant for music still shone... Song. I stood back as they sang by mind still a bit fuzzy... Something about my old home... Twilight and Luna...? I couldn't remember, I would have to ask Luna later... If there was... No. Just later. We separated up what we would need to do and got busy. It was going to be a lot of work for the eight of us but as soon as we left the palace I was pleasantly surprised to find some helpers. Bulwark, Smoke, Gambit and Storm. I was happy to see Marble there as well and Aegis and Starsing who came galloping over as soon as they saw me. "You did it!" They both cried out as I swept them up in a hug. Aegis hugged for a moment before pushing himself away embarrassed but Starsing clung to me crying a little. "Thank you for bringing my Daddy home." She whispered making me squeeze her even tighter before I wiped her tears away. "And who's this?" Twilight asked with a gentle smile causing Starsing to hide burying her head in my chest. "This is Starsing and her big brother Aegis. Starsing, Aegis this is my wife Twilight Sparkle..." "She’s pretty..." Starsing whispered still hiding her face shyly. "You must be cooler then I thought." Aegis grinned as the rest of the girls gathered around cooing over him and Starsing. "What are you all doing here?" I asked. "Prince Shining Armor was nice enough to answer our questions this morning... Well, as much as he could so we thought we would stick around to see if you needed a hoof?" "And to see Rainbow Dash again..." One of the twins whispered as his brother nudged him in the side, Gambit I was pretty sure. I made introductions all around skipping over the part of how I met them for the time being. After that we all headed out to find the materials we would need to put on a fair! Everything came together incredibly smoothly, with Cadence and Armor’s permission to get what we needed not to mention the general malaise of the crystal ponies we had no issues getting all the materials and getting it set up. Talking with Bulwark, Smoke, Storm and Gambit I quickly learned while they weren't as badly affected as the rest of the inhabitants of the empire they too had a mental block about a great deal of what happened during Sombra’s reign. By midday we were ready, Twilight, Cadence and Armor were up on the balcony overlooking the fair along with Pinkie Pie eager to blow her flugel horn, she let out an out of tune but definitely loud enough blast to get some attention. "Hear ye... Hear ye..." Another blast of the horn drowned out Twilight. She, Cadence and Armor glared at Pinkie and she stopped with a sheepish smile. "Oops, sorry..." "Hear ye! Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor cordially invite you all to the crystal faire!" Crystal ponies began to gather whispering and muttering to one another cautiously at first then in greater and greater numbers spreading out to see what the fair had to offer. As the crystal ponies began to interact with the fair, games and food a change came over them not all at once but one here and one there with a flash suddenly their coats, manes and tail brightened shining in the sun their eyes cleared and smiles returned to their faces. I was assisting Fluttershy with her petting zoo surprisingly as was Bulwark the cute little lambs trotted about bleating and looking for snacks and attention. (To be honest I think he was a bit sweet on Fluttershy.) He was helping a couple of little fillies feed the lambs when suddenly a change came over him he seemed brighter, more aware. He stood up straight suddenly leaving the food with the fillies who were quickly surrounded by lambs making them shriek with delight. He quickly came over to me pulling me aside with a hushed whisper. "I remember... I remember it all now! The heart... The crystal heart!" At my blank look he shook his head and continued. "It’s an artifact! Been a part of the empire for as long as anyone can remember... Hell the empire might have even been built around it! It’s the source of our protection! The faire is where we all gather to charge it! The magic within each of us..." He hesitated for a moment unsure then continued. "Out love and hope is what powers it! And in return it keeps out anything that might harm us! Don't you see?! That’s why Sombra did it! Wore us all down, turned us against one another... It weakened the heart so much it couldn't fight him... Neither could we... He told everyone he'd hidden it, that we would never see it again! How did you find it!?" "Uhhh..." I remembered Twi saying she had carved a crystal heart from a chunk of crystal but I really didn't think that was going to do it. "I..." Thankfully I was saved by a piercing whistle from above, Dash was looking down at me gesturing franticly back toward the palace. "I'll be right back Bulwark, just stay with Fluttershy eh?" He blushed slightly looking over at her; I didn't have the heart to tell him she already had someone... I jogged back towards the palace nonchalantly trying not to alarm anyone just trying to look like I was rushing from one attraction to the next. I burst into the throne room just in time to hear Twilight. "I didn't know it was an actual relic! How could I have missed it?!” "It's alright, Twilight..." Cadence began but her energy gave out as her eyes rolled up into her head and she fainted dead away. "Twily..." Outside the shield fluttered and fell the storm began blowing through along with something much worse, Sombra’s huge smoky form passed the line that had kept him out his howl or triumph was barely audible here but we were in trouble... "The Empire is under attack!" Twi! Love and Light... The light can drive him back! Make the brightest light you can! Try to make it look like part of the celebration... She nodded her horn lighting up as she concentrated and suddenly fireworks lit up the sky bursting over the celebration entertaining and distracting, further away especially large and bright bursts lit up in front of Sombra driving him back time and again no matter what direction he tried to gain entry from... But strong and as talented as Twilight was she didn't have the power of an Alicorn. I held her tightly whispering words of encouragement in her ears as sweat began to roll off her and her legs began to shake... Cadence lifted her head shaking off the cobwebs quickly empowering her spell, as Twilight collapsed against me I heard Sombra’s cry of pain and anger as smashed one more time against the closing barrier, looking up I saw his smoky form pushed back a piece of his horn broken off and falling to the ground... "You ok Twi?" She gasped and nodded. "Cadence?" I looked over but she couldn't answer all her concentration, all her will was going to keep the shield up. "I'll find that heart myself!" Armor rose up to his hooves. "No! Princess Celestia gave me this task brother. She needs you..." He sat back down deflated leaning against Cadence trying to give her any bit of energy he could. "Hurry..." I followed Twilight out of the palace running into Spike on his way in. "I want to come along!" "You can't Spike..." "I know, I know... I won't lift a claw to help you!" She sighed with a smile. "Okay Spike, not a claw." He hopped up on her back and we started out only to have her stop suddenly. "What?" I asked. "I think I know where we should start looking..." She turned around leading us back to where we came from. "The palace?" "Sombra knew no pony would dare to look in his palace it was too well defended and they would be too scared to even try!" Anyone but Princess Celestia and Luna... I thought to myself. We ran from room to room Spike and I watching as Twilight desperately searched. Suddenly she had another epiphany. "Got it!" She led us to the throne room Cadence and Armor were gone likely to the balcony to watch the fair and get her some fresh air. "Where could he have hidden it in here?" I wondered aloud. "Here! But not really here because this isn't how the throne room looked when he ruled!" She closed her eyes and concentrated her horn began to glow a disturbing dark purple and green her eyes flew open and it shot a beam of energy at a crystal atop the throne. Her eyes... Gone were they eyes I loved replaced by those green and red orbs the same disturbing smoke coming off them as Sombra’s. I almost yelled out... Tackled her to break her concentration anything to make it stop! But almost as soon as it had begun it was gone... The crystal reflected that dark power before it; the floor disappeared revealing a dark spiralling staircase leading deep down. A cough from Twilight drew my gaze back to her; Spike was already trying to steady her. Her face was blanched and she looked unsteady on her legs. I was by her side in an instant holding her tight. "I feel sick..." "I'm sorry Twi; maybe you best not do that again... Ever." "I... I think that would be for the best.' She smiled weakly. The three of us peered over the edge into the deep darkness below... "Maybe..." "You better stay here Spike." Twi interrupted him looking much better already. He looked a bit relieved. "Well... Ok, if you say so." Twilight and I traveled down the stairs about thirty feet; we could still see the top and Spike looking down at us. "How deep is it?" He called down. "No idea..." I answered as Twilight broke off a piece of crystal letting it drop. We both listened... And listened, her hearing was of course better then mine and she reacted a second before me to the clack down below. "How does it look outside Spike?!" She called up, he dissappeared and was back in a moment. "It’s not good! Hurry!" We looked at each other then started down the stairs as quickly as we could safely, after a few minutes we reached the bottom both of us breathing heavily. All there was at the bottom of the stairs was a blank room with one door a crystal atop it. "This must be it!" She grabbed the door handle telekinetically trying to pull it open but it yanked itself from her grasp sliding along the wall to the other side of the room! I lunged forward grabbing the handle only to be pulled off my feet careening around the room as it took me for a wild ride. I let go before it took me too high and it settled back down in its original position. "I'm going to have to do it..." "I..." I knew how dangerous this magic could be, even though we had no other choice I still didn't want her to touch it ever again... But from what Luna had told me it didn't seem like Twilight was being corrupted, it had only been the one time but it seemed her body... Her mind, psyche and soul rejected it... Fought it. I had to trust... No. I knew she was strong enough to handle it. "I know love, be careful." She nodded getting herself ready then letting the Dark magic flow through her, I was holding her this time and I could feel it... Like an oily residue flowing over you... She fired a quick blast at the crystal atop the door then immediately released it and would have fallen had I not been holding her. "Oh Celestia, it hurts..." She groaned. I immediately opened myself to her taking the pain and for one agonizing moment wished I hadn't... A burning like real fire covering my entire body even so briefly and suddenly it was her turn to support me. "You shouldn't have done that... I have to do this on my own...! But thank you... Wait?! How did you do that? I thought your magic was blocked?" We checked and surely enough the crystals remained but I could still feel my connection with Twilight and that alone allowed me to do things that even Sombra couldn't stop. I kissed her softly and we both stood up. "Ready?" "Ready." Together we walked up to the door and opened it... A blinding light overwhelmed me and I had to cover my eyes, a few moments later it dimmed and I could finally see I blinked in surprise, it looked like... Ponyville hospital? I was sitting on a bench alone occasionally orderlies and nurses passed by avoiding my gaze and unspoken questions. I was about to try to stop one to ask what was going on when a nurse I recognised came up to me, Redheart. "Come with me please..." She whispered turning immediately to lead me off. "What’s going...?" "I don't... I can't... I'm sorry." She led me in silence through hallways and down a staircase to a door. "I'm sorry..." She whispered again backing away. "Wait, what...?" But she was gone. The door was plain and unadorned but... I was afraid. Afraid of what might be behind it... What was I doing here? I reached out powerless to stop myself; the door swung open revealing a dimly lit room. I didn't want to go in but my feet were already moving, the door swung shut behind me leaving me to stare at the contents of the room... Two tables... One a normal size and the other small side by side both shrouded with sheets shapeless mounds below them. I tried to stop... To scream... Anything! But all I managed was a strangled gasp as my hand reached out of its own accord grasping the sheet and slowly pulling it down... I knew what it would show me somehow, I tried to block it out! Close my eyes! But I couldn't... Twilights still form was slowly uncovered her color drained and muted, her mane stringy and matted... "No, no, no, no..." I heard echoing around the room, it took me a moment to realise it was me... My tears blurred my vision as I reached out again grasping the sheet on the smaller table pulling it slowly down. A tiny purple bundle, fur still matted and bloody... I thrust the sheet back grabbing my head in my hands falling to my knees. "No... Not real... Not real...! Twilight... Starswirl... I'm so sorry... So..." "Rick! Snap out of it!" A scaly hand slapped me across the face bringing me to my senses. I shook my head trying to clear it wiping my tears away. "Spike... What... What happened?" "I don't know! I waited, and waited! You were taking so long, I called down but got no answer so I came down and found you both just staring at this door! Look at Twilight!" I looked over quickly; she was still staring at the door her eyes dark swirling with green and red as tears poured out of them. "What’s so special about...?” I heard Spike behind me as I gently pulled her away turning her from the door breaking her concentration. "Twi... Come back... I love you, please..." I was still reeling from my own experience, I couldn't lose her! Not again! She gasped suddenly her eyes returning to normal, she focused on me and threw herself forward into my embrace. We held each other tightly both of us crying. "I... I don't know... You... You left me alone... Took Scootaloo, took Starswirl! Left me for Princess Celestia...! Why...? Why would you do...?" I tilted her head up and kissed her hard again and again. "I wouldn't... Never leave you, not for anyone, not for anything! I'm yours Twi, yours and yours alone forever." She sniffed as I wiped her tears away favouring me with a small smile. "I know... Even through it all I knew it couldn't be true but still... Spike!" I turned quickly again grabbing him and pulling him over to us breaking the doors hold on him. We held him tightly between us as he sobbed. "Mom... Princess Celestia sent me away... So did you Twilight. I... I was alone... No one loved me..." "That’s never going to happen Spike." She comforted running her forehoof over his head gently. She drew a deep breath and we turned to face the door again. "A door that shows you your worst fears... Well how about this!" Her horn lit up again but this time pure light streamed out lighting up the gem above the door making the whole thing glow. The door swung open easily and we found ourselves in as open area somehow high atop the palace. "What’s out there guys?" Spike asked cautiously. Twilight gave an exasperated sigh. "More stairs... Maybe you better come with us this time Spike. The three of us started up the stairs; they looked as if they went up for miles. "So... If Sombra made a door that shows us our worst fears..." All three of us shuddered slightly at that. "What if he made a staircase that goes on forever...?" Spike asked. Twilight looked up then down thinking. "Good point Spike." She levitated him onto her back then stood close to me. "Hold on tight." She smiled as her horn lit up and I leaned down putting my arms around her neck. "What are you...?” Suddenly we flew over upside down landing on the backside of the staircase! It was smooth and we immediately began to slide. "I studied antigravity spells because I thought they might be part of the test! Turns out I was prepared for this!" She grinned. We picked up speed quickly, sparks were flying from Twi's hooves and I could feel the soles of my boots heating up and wearing down... Rarity was going to be pissed! Twilight squealed in delight somehow ignoring Spikes claws digging into her side, her excited look made me grin. Oh what the heck... "Yahoooo...!" Suddenly we reached the end of the staircase flying up into the air, Twi quickly cancelled her spell and we landed in a pile together. I certainly didn't mind Twi laying on me but I could definitely do without Spikes tail jabbed into my side. And there in the center of this open Parthenon like room floating between two crystal spires was what I could only assume was the heart! Looking like it had been flawlessly carved from a single huge sapphire. "We found it!" She squealed excitedly galloping off. "Wait...! What if there’s another...?" I took off immediately after her almost reaching her as razor sharp dark crystals thrust up from the floor, I hadn't been quite far enough along and was caught mid jump the crystals slicing into my thighs flipping me over cutting through my pants and into my flesh. Unfortunately I crashed right into Twi knocking her off balance and bouncing the crystal heart out of her grasp and out of the trapped area we were in! "The heart! Oh Rick! Are you ok?" "The hearts ok Twilight!" I heard Spike call out as she franticly tried to heal the gashes in my legs. In her sleep deprived, exhausted and fearful state she still managed to close them stopping the bleeding. "Thanks love." I gave her a quick kiss and we helped each other up. We could barely see beyond the dark crystal blocking us, the heart was lying out in the open Spike beside it hopping back and forth unsure of what to do. Twilight leaned against me expending a bit more of her precious energy to teleport us out. I could feel a resistance... Like a rubber band stretched tight it slammed us back into the trap. "Twilight! The shields down! What do I do?!" Spike cried out. I cut one of the crystals nearly in two with my knife pushing it to snap it off making space for us to squeeze out but before I could even lift Twi up it regrew blocking us again. "Dammit... Twi?" She stood a second thinking. "Take the heart to Cadence Spike." "But Twilight your test!" She leaned against me with a small smile. "Doesn't matter Spike, there’s too much at stake. Go quickly!" "But..." "Go!" He quickly grabbed the heart avoiding dark crystal growths that had begun to sprout up all over and around the whole city I imagined. He made his way out onto the surrounding balcony and out of sight. We sank down together exhausted. "I guess I won't be Princess Celestias student anymore..." She sighed. "Don't be silly Twi, you came up with the plan to save everything here she'll see that." "I guess... Honestly it would be a bit of a relief! Being her student is a great honour and I love it but... I just try so hard to please her... Maybe too hard sometimes..." She admitted with a smile. "Its just stressful is all; a little time to be a wife and mother would be nice too..." "You could just ask for some time, especially when..." I rubbed her belly softly for emphasis. "I... You know, I never thought of that!" She giggled. We held each other tightly awaiting salvation or damnation when suddenly I could feel something... A building pressure from below expanding out and before it a shriek of pure hatred... "Impossible!" A wave of pure energy... Light, love and hope blasted through cutting that cry short, disintegrating the dark crystal all around us the brightness growing and growing until I had to shut my eyes. Slowly the light dimmed and I could hear cheering down below as I opened my eyes. I felt much better; the cuts across my legs didn't hurt any more, my weariness and fatigue gone. And Twilight... She shone like the sun sparkling and shimmering. She looked over at me her eyes going wide. "Rick...?" I looked down at myself, my hands, skin; hair all appeared to be made of crystal! I touched my hands together and they still felt normal, Twilight reached out with her forehoof to caress the side of my face gently an act I copied on her. "And here I thought you couldn't get any more beautiful..." I smiled. "Amazing...!" She gasped as we pressed together to kiss. She jumped suddenly thinking of something pulling up my shirt revealing no black crystals her cutie mark on me undamaged. Testing my powers I levitated her up and into my arms. "Oh thank Celestia..." She whispered nuzzling against me. "Mayhap you should thank somepony else?" Came a voice to the side a crystalline Cadence folded her wings back revealing a very shiny crystal dragon. "Or perhaps that should be some dragon?" She added slyly planting a kiss on the side of his head. "Awww... I just did what Twilight told me too..." Spike blushed. I let Twilight down and she rushed over to levitate him to her hugging him tightly. I got up and walked over to them Cadence smiled and nodded to me. "Don't forget to thank yourself Twilight, without you none of this would have been possible." "I guess... We'll see what Princess Celestia has to say..." "She will be proud of you, I'm proud of you!" She smiled the two of them hugging. "That much is certain. Now, there is a faire to be enjoyed and I finally have the energy to do so!" She laughed spreading her wings and swooping out off the balcony. "Care to join me?" She asked with a wink her horn flashing teleporting us down to the balcony overlooking the fair. Spike stood tall on Cadences back waving to everyone. "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza! Princess Mi Amore Cadenza! The gathered ponies cheered. "Please... Just call me Cadence." She waved out to the crowd. "Princess Cadence! Princess Cadence!" She waved a few minutes longer with Spike before joining and leading us back into the palace taking our time to get back outside. "Honestly I don't deserve all this adoration. Twilight you and your friends played a much bigger part..." "Oh really? Maybe it was some other Princess in here holding off Sombra to the last of her energy and beyond?" I asked with a grin. "It wasn't that big of a deal..." "Cadence! Without you we never would have had time to set things up! The empire would have fallen before we even..." "Ok, ok...!" She grabbed us both with her wings pulling us close. "Still, thank you Twilight for putting it all together. And thank you Rick for reminding me who needed me the most. And don't think I've forgotten you Spike! Thank you for being so courageous." "Aww, thanks..." He blushed as we exited the palace into a throng of awaiting ponies Armor among them waiting to escort his wife to the fair and every crystal pony in the empire who wanted to meet them both. We watched the three of them go before turning to one another. "Shall we enjoy the fair my love?" She smiled dazzlingly up at me and we made our way side by side out into the fairgrounds trying some of the games, partaking of the delicious food and visiting with our friends who all looked beautiful crystal transformed as they were. Rarity of course was especially pleased by her transformation hoping it would last and she could show off in Canterlot. After a few hours I could see Twilight was beginning to range further and further out to the edge of the fairgrounds and I had a pretty good idea why. With a grin I scooped her up into my arms kissing her cheek. "Oh!" "Never change Twi." "What do you mean?" She asked resting her head in the crook of my shoulder. I started carrying her away from the fairgrounds back into the city. "Where are we going?" "Oh I thought we might check out the library again..." I grinned. "Really?! Oh... I mean if you really want to..." She blushed slightly. I laughed kissing her again. "Making you happy makes me happy love. And I would like to take a second look too." She squealed happily as I let her down and galloped off with me in tow. How could I be in love with a pony? An animal? People would no doubt ask me if they could see me now, watching her my only answer to them would be... How could I not be? Before too long we reached the library, it was abandoned of course as was I imagined most of if not all of the rest of the city. Twi's first order of business in the library? Clean up all the books we had gone through naturally putting every book back on the shelves in their proper place. Well... Minus a few here and there we wanted to check out. She hummed happily as she worked looking over to me occasionally more often then not to find me watching her while I worked. "What?!" She asked with a slight blush. I put my last book away and walked over to her kneeling down to kiss her passionately. "You’re so cute Twi, so beautiful. I love everything about you from your hooves up to your mane, from the tip of your tail to the tip of your horn... My wife, lover and the mother of my child. I can't ever express how much you mean to me though I'll keep trying..." She blushed furiously kissing me back urgently. "I... I never thought I could mean that much to anyone... Never thought I could feel so much for anyone..." Her tears streamed down her face, liquid diamonds from a crystalline goddess. "Even though we've been together for almost a year... I... I want more! Ten years. A hundred, a thousand, ten thousand!" "I would give them to you if I could love. Would you settle for the rest of our lives? I'll always be with you as long as you'll have me." "Then you'll always be with me." She whispered. We made our way with our pile of books to one of the libraries large reading areas sinking into a large comfortable chair together each of us opening a book and perusing. Enjoying each others closeness, warmth... Just enjoying each other. I heard the library door open and looked up briefly but didn't think too much of it until I heard some hoof clicks searching up and down the stacks before a familiar orange and black maned head appeared around a shelf. "Rick! Hey guys I found him!" "Quiet Gambit! This is a library." His brother admonished following him around the corner. "What?! We're the only ones here..." Bulwark and Smoke followed them; they all looked quite different their natural crystal forms showing, sparkling and dazzling. Smoke looked very well no sign of his former illness showed at all to my relief. "Good to see you guys, I thought you'd still be enjoying the fair?" "Oh we have and we will some more we just wanted to see you and thank you again." "Well thanks Bulwark but really I had a small part, Twi's the mastermind here..." I nudged her gently and she looked up from her book. "Oh! Hi..." I grinned as we untangled from one another the better to converse. "Mrs. Sparkle." Bulwark nodded. "Twilight." Smoke smiled. "Nice to see you again, glad your plan worked." Storm complimented. Gambit leaned over by me and whispered with a sarcastic grin. "Seriously, you so don't deserve that..." I chuckled giving him a punch in the shoulder. "So what happened while we were inside the palace? We couldn't exactly see from where we were." We all settled down comfortably as Bulwark started. "Well... Shortly after you left the shield must have been getting weak because the guardsmen... The ones who had been corrupted began appearing again; slowly just on the outskirts but we spotted them. They came in ones and two; I couldn't let them hurt anypony at the faire so I did what I had to do..." "You should have seen him Rick! Two, four even six of them were no match for him!" Gambit broke in excitedly. "Four at the most guys come on..." Bulwark blushed. Storm shook his head continuing with a grin. "We tried our best to help, I'm not much of a fighter but my brother gave as good as he got! And Smoke was amazing! They couldn't lay a hoof on him, he twirled, he spun and they were at a loss!" He laughed. Smoke blushed slightly. "Not a big deal... But there were just too many for us to deal with, it was looking like we were going to get captured... Again! When out of nowhere decked out in ceremonial armor Rainbow Dash smashed through them her lance and hooves knocking them every which way! Then she zipped off again, something about having to joust with Fluttershy again..." Gambit broke back in. "Applejack and Pinkie Pie came to help too, that Applejack is amazing with a rope! And strong! She might even be able to give Bulwark a run for his bits..." He grinned. "And Pinkie Pie had a knack for just plain avoiding anything they threw at her not to mention she was really good at leading and taunting them straight into ambushes!" Just imagine if they ever saw you in action love they wouldn't be able to pick up their jaws for a week! You! I'm glad they were able to keep things safe, you certainly made some interesting friends. "Once we had them under control and Applejack had them securely tied we headed back tot he faire to make sure everything was still alright. Just before we got there we felt a… Shudder. Throughout the whole city, turning to look we saw the shield was down! We galloped to the faire trying to keep everyone together, keep them from running to their homes. If you were successful we would need every one of us to power the heart, and if you failed... Well, it wouldn't matter where we were." Bulwark fell silent with that grim thought. Storm cleared his throat and continued. "We could all see the approaching darkness, as it got closer it began to coalesce into a form we all once loved but now reviled... Sombra, returned to his pony form and full strength. He leaned down leering at us from atop a dark crystal pillar, 'Ahh my crystal slaves...' That would have been the straw that broke us but someone called out! 'Up there!' It drew all out gazes up to find that little Dragon friend of yours... Stab? No, Spike! Teetering high above us trying to climb down the crystal formations and even though he was quite far up still we could all see... Feel the heart in his position!" "Sombra must have been able to sense it too! His tower erupted pushing him upward so fast! Just as we saw Spike slip and fall! The heart was at the tips of his claws as he fell he tried to grab it! We could only watch helplessly as he fell, if Sombra interrupted him we were doomed but if he missed and the heart hit the ground... If it broke... Well no one knows what would happen... Likely the end of us all... Oh and your friend Spike too, sorry..." Gambit went silent after bursting in again his brother giving him a comforting hug. "But we were saved, I don't know how the Princess did it but she flashed through the air impossibly fast snatching Spike and the heart right in front of Sombra! She swooped down the heart levitated in front of her. 'Quickly!' She urged us as the heart flew into its traditional resting place we poured everything we had into it! Everything we'd lost, all out fears and worries pushed aside for that glorious moment... There was nothing but light, love and hope. The joining of our entire race in a single instant... It expanded out from the heart replenishing us all, destroying the dark crystals that had taken over the city and those within our bodies too..." Smoke continued smiling at the memory. "Sombra stood against the power of the heart but even with all his Dark magic he could only stand for a moment, he was torn apart, scattered... Destroyed? I don't know. We can only hope…” Bulwark finished looking down; suddenly he brought up his head with a grin. "And here we are, free... I guess, no King... what are we going to do now?" "If you trust Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Cad... I mean Princess Cadence, they'll have a plan. They'll know what to do..." Twilight smiled. We all talked a bit more; we filled them in on our experiences in finding the heart before we all went back out to see the end of the celebration. Cadence and Armor insisted we stay at the palace promising everyone gathered that there would be an announcement tomorrow. 'But for tonight... Sleep, rest safely... For the first time in a thousand years...' The next day held plenty of surprises, the first of which was that our 'crystalness' had faded. That was fine by me, it was very interesting but honestly I stood out enough without looking like a human disco ball. Clearly the effects of our victory here were being felt in Equestria as well as when we awoke we found a scroll lying on the bed on top of us. Twilight unrolled it and we read... My most faithful student Twilight I never had a doubt you would find a solution. Cadence, Armor and Spike have filled me in on the events that transpired but I look forward to hearing from you when you return. But first the empire must have a ruler... Luna and I are giving our blessing to Cadence and Shining Armor to be those rulers. In the end it must be the Crystal ponies who make the choice to accept them; I would not force anything on them especially after all they've been through... What we've all been through... I owe you explanations, more detailed ones... Both of you, I hope you can understand... Forgive me... Twilight, Cadence will need you, your organizational skills and knowledge. Please take your time and assist her. I look forward to seeing you both again, take care. Warmest regards. Celestia "I wonder what she means by a more in depth explanation...?" "I owe you one too love..." "What...?!" We cuddled together as I began to explain, starting from the very moment she walked into the palace in Canterlot up until the moment the power of the heart washed over us and I finally knew we were successful, she was successful. She was mad, I expected that but she wasn't nearly as angry as I thought she would be. With my explanation and after thinking about it a bit she could understand why Celestia didn't give her the whole story, personally? I was still a bit miffed. My wife, my child endangered! But... At least I was there and things turned out for the best for everyone. It was nearly nine thirty in the morning when I finished surprisingly no one had disturbed us yet. She turned her back to me in a huff. 'I can't believe you did that..." I rubbed her back kissing her neck; at the very least she didn't pull away from me. "I'm sorry love, I promised Luna though... You know I would never let anything happen to you." She spun back over to face me angrily. "You can't foresee everything! And then going off into that dungeon alone, what about that?!" "They needed their daddy back... I promised them too..." She sighed heavily the anger running out of her. "You and your promises... What about your promises to me? To Scootaloo...? Starswirl...?" I felt like a real heel, guilt, guilt, guilt... "I'm sorry Twi... But I..." She stopped me gently placing her forehoof on my lips. "You have to be you..." I grasped her hoof and kissed her gently. "I'm still mad at you..." She whispered. "Can't I make it up to you in some way...?" I asked kissing her again and down her jaw line to her neck making her gasp. "N... No... I'm mad...! Mad..." "I'm very sorry Twi; you know your everything to me." I kissed lower rubbing her soft belly and kissing it. "I know... But..." "I'm sorry..." I kissed a bit lower. "I'm sorry..." A bit lower and then... Well, one of us was quiet. Afterward we cuddled together basking in her afterglow. "I'm still mad..." She whispered nuzzling against my neck. "But I love you." "I love you Twi." I held her tightly warm and content together. Tap, tap, tap... A very light rapping so quiet I wasn't even sure I heard it. "I wonder who that could be?" Twilight asked. I got up putting on my pants as I approached the door hopping on one leg trying not to fall over eliciting a giggle from Twi. I opened the door revealing a very, very red faced Fluttershy. "I... I was asked to come get you..." "Oh Fluttershy! Is it time for Cadences announcement?" Twilight asked. "Soon... She sent me to get you early... About a half an hour ago... I... I didn't want to... Interrupt." Now it was Twilight and I's turn to blush. "You uh... Heard that did you Fluttershy? Heh, sorry..." I apologized. "Oh... Its ok, I'm glad you’re both so... Happy..." I finished getting dressed as Twilight used the washroom. "Trouble with you and Trixie? I asked gently. "No, no. I just miss her, she's going to be going on tour with Sapphire Shores again soon... I'm really going to miss her then... But she loves it so much I want her to go!" "I know how you feel." We headed out and I tried to remember my way through the labyrinth of palace corroders while Twilight and Fluttershy walked a short ways behind me their heads together whispering. Whenever I looked back they stopped both of them giving me a smile starting right back up when I turned away, it’s almost enough to make a guy nervous... Eventually we reached one of the main hallways I recognised and we quickly made our way to the throne room to find everyone waiting of course. "Jeez Fluttershy what took you so long? You get lost?" Dash asked. "Oh! No, they were... Um... Busy." Dash processed that for all of a second before bursting out laughing everyone else smiling along knowingly as we blushed. Cadence and Armor rose. "I hoped to have more time to discuss everything..." She smiled at us with a wink. "But we'll have plenty of time later. Princess Celestia and Luna have given us their blessing and recommendation for Armor and I to be rulers of the Crystal Empire...!" She drew a deep breath as Armor leaned against her giving her strength. "I hope her faith is not misplaced..." "Of course it isn't Cadence! You and my brother will be amazing rulers! You'll be so far away though..." Twilights ears went down as she came to that realization. Armor walked over giving her a hug. "Just a train ride away Twily, same as always. Just a little longer." He grinned. Cadence nodded with a smile. "It will be up to the Crystal ponies to make the final decision though... It's time." Cadence and Armor walked out to the edge of the balcony while the rest of us hung back watching and listening. "Ponies of the Crystal Empire! We come before you today to offer ourselves to you! My husband Shining Armor and I wish to help you, lead you, if you will..." She never got any further then that. She was drowned out by an overwhelming cheer that swept across the crowd growing, swelling and not stopping. For ten minutes the ponies of the Crystal Empire made it clear who they wanted to be their new rulers as Cadence's tears of gratitude fell she and Armor leaning together. Things moved quite quickly after that, every business, every farmer, every pony. Cadence wanted to know them all. We spent another day just getting things arranged and organized. A ceremony crowning Cadence and Armor would have to wait for now it was decided, there was still a lot to do. Unfortunately it had been some time that we had been here and I had a job of my own to do back in Ponyville, Twilight was still needed here though so that night we stood at the train station to say our goodbyes. Pinkie and Rarity were staying for awhile with Twilight to help out while Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash needed to get home, Spike as well was on his way back to Canterlot. I held her tightly never wanting to let go. "I miss you already..." "It’s only a week..." She reasoned but the tears in her eyes told another story. "Hurry home... Come back to me." I whispered. "I will... I love you." "I love you." We kissed one last time and I boarded the train sticking my head out the window to watch her as we pulled away. We waved to one another until the snow blocked our view and I slid back inside sinking down in my seat. It was going to be a long week...