//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Return to the Crystal Empire // Story: The Hardships of Ruling an Empire // by JusSonic //------------------------------// Chapter 1: Return to the Crystal Empire Pinkamena is reading as the group is doing what they do and Gold Wing was with Golden Moon. She says, "Hmm it seems Twilight Sparkle and Ben Mare are going to the Crystal Empire to help Princess Cadence." That made Sombra's ears perk up in hearing the words 'Crystal Empire' and 'Cadance' as Golden heart says, "You think we should tag along with them for help?" "Well maybe we can but sadly not this time?" "Why's that sister?" She sighs and says, "Well this is something a family needs to handle but maybe." Pinkamena looks at Omega while speaking. "Omega, I am tasking you to make sure things go well inform us if things go out of control and me, Goldie and Jack will be on our way." Omega nods and heads off to do his task. --------------------- The Sparkle Family took the next train to the Crystal Empire on a trip to visit Shining Armor and Princess Cadance. The princess called them, wishing in some help in some problems during the Crystal Empire ruling. The couple had ruled the place since the fall of King Sombra but even Cadance got a bit stressful. "Well, we should be at the Crystal Empire very soon." Ben said, reading a magazine while looking up at to Twilight sitting with Nyx and Spike. Phobos is hanging from the luggage rack for some reason, other than just to be goofy. "Oh! I can't wait to see my brother and sister-in-law again!" Twilight giggles happily, sitting the opposite of Ben. “This is going to be like an adventure we face the Tatzlwurm; Or maybe finding our little friend the Crystal Ghost.” "Yeepy; who wouldn't," Spike sighs, recalling the two adventures that he wasn't involved in. "Best brother-sister relationship." Nyx smiled while saying, "Can't wait to see them again. We're gonna have the best and fun day in our lives." The Alicorn filly sighed. "Too bad, our friends are not coming with us." The rest of the Mane Six as well as the CMC members decided to stay behind in Ponyville. "Well, we let our guard down once; but not this time. That is why we need some ponies stay back, should the enemy show up." Twilight explains, nuzzling her daughter a bit. "Thanks to some unit and supply supports from Mystic Ponies on Land of Ma, we are safe and prepared for anything." "Which makes me wonder...What is a Demon General?" Spike asks Twilight a bit worried since one of their last enemies Shredkiller is a Demon General. Twilight hummed gently as she recalls, "If I remember correctly, that is the title of the most powerful warriors among the Empire, like Ultimate Mystic Warriors, Five Phoenix Warriors, Five Tiger Warrior and etc., etc. and etc. But Demon General...There's something new to me..." "But those that mean...something evil and Demonic; Because Demon General sounded like monstrous and evil as Grimmore and his army." Nyx gulps a bit, worried. If the Demon Generals are horrible, she would hate to see Grimmore's Army. "I think so... And I really wish there was a way to beat that monster. And Shredkiller won't be the only Demon General we had to face with. There could be some to deal with." Spike gulped, "Not to mention their own elite army to deal with." The gang barely survived the last encounter. Who knows what the next one will be like? Nyx giggled uneasily, "Let's not think about that. It gives me enough creepy, and especially mommy's double." "Good point, Nyxie. I wonder how Shadow Dragon and Twilight Moon met. Was it after Iris Crystal's death?" Twilight ask in concern, pondering how Shadow Dragon first meet Twilight Moon. "And how did Twilight Moon came to be? There's only one Twilight and she's sitting in front of me right now." Ben said to Twilight, making her smile a bit. "Booooooooooring," Phobos exclaims, making the others frown at his comment. "Where's the food?" "Really, Phobos;" Spike ask Phobos dryly. "Ruining a good moment?" "Who said I am? I'm hungry!" "Ugh, Phobos," Nyx remarked, laughing at her pet/best friend's behavior. Phobos is so silly. It took a while but the gang arrives at the Crystal Empire's train station. Once the family got off, they are greeted by Crystal Ponies who bow to the visiting rulers and their family. Twilight and Ben are used to it by now, since they now rule Ponyville in the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom. The place gets more amazing each time that they visited. Shining and Cadance has sent a carriage to pick Twilight and Ben's family up at the train station. Once they got on, they rode throughout the empire. It was amazing that the last time they were here is during the Equestrian Games. The Crystal Ponies are lucky. They almost lost one of their rulers, Cadance, due to an attack by Tirek. The family arrives at the castle where a certain brother of Twilight's is waiting for them up front. As Ben, Twilight, Spike, Nyx and Phobos got out, the Alicorn giggles as she runs up to her brother, exclaiming, "Shining Armor!" "Twiley," Shining exclaims as he hugged her. "I miss you, kid! It's been like forever!" "Tell me about it." Twilight said with a chuckle. She then notices a worried look on her brother's face. Something's wrong. "What's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me?" "I am, Twiley. It's someone that I'm worried about. Believe me, you know who is." "Cadance got an issue in something?" "Yup," Shining said with a concerned nod. "Well, may as well see what's bugging my cousin." Ben said to Shining in concern. He wants to see if Cadance needs help if the Crystal Empire wants to continue on throughout the years. "And get some food. I'm hungry!" Phobos exclaims impatiently. "You just ate on the train." Spike points out to Phobos in irritation. "So what's your point?" ---------------- The scene opens to where we see one of the Apocalypse Ponies looking over a book, as she was trying to study its magic spell contents. And at the moment she stood up, she shook her head before letting down her hood for us to get a good view of what she looked like. A mare unicorn pony with dark sapphire blue coat, different from Twilight’s usual coat color while her mane & tail style are the same, except they are now brilliant phthalo blue along with a moderate Persian blue & light rose color form, strangely almost similar to Princess Luna’s Nightmare Moon form. And then there’s her eyes that have a moderate cyan with catlike irises, the very same eyes seen from Nightmare Moon (and from the Cult from Past Sins story) & having pointed edge ears. And on the flank of this pony was not of a star like the original Twilight Sparkle, it was instead the violet cloud blob with a light turquoise crescent moon that was only seen on Nightmare Moon. The Cutie Mark itself had two different form appearances, both different that reflected Luna’s good side and Nightmare Moon’s evil side, and this mark on this pony is clearly of the latter…for evil. So in basic conclusion, she may look like Twilight Sparkle, but her color scheme & appearance has a more direct looking appearance to Nightmare Moon (sorta) No matter how one looks at her, there is one thing we can tell, she is known as Ms. Moon, or T. Moon, or simply address by full name; as Twilight Moon. “I must ask you of something.” Tso Lan appeared before the vessel he is in. “And that would be?” Twilight Moon asked off in noticing Tso Lan’s presence. “Why you choose the moment to reveal me and let those see your face?” Tso Lan question why the mare wanted the heroes to know about the Demon Lords being a part of the Apocalypse Ponies and let the heroes see the mare’s face that resembles Twilight Sparkle. “For one thing, keeping it a secret that we have the Eight Demon Lords in eight of us as your vessels would have been learned sooner or later. But not to worry…The Superior informed us that a powerful spell was cast, so not even the strongest Mystic in the fields of spell casting, could undo it.” Twilight Moon explained things that the secret won’t need to be kept, at least about the Demon Lords, since now not even the best Mystics can reach the Eight Demon Lords’ bodies to recall their souls back. “And the one who cast the spell was…?” Tso Lan asked in being curious of something else. “He told us it was by Grimmore, he prepared a layer barrier that’s completely shrouded in mystery that it take a decade or a center for even a skill brainiac to solve it and force you all out of us.” Twilight Moon shrug off her shoulder that her leader said the Dark Elf made a spell to which the Demon Lords bodies are safe from Mystic Pony interference; but only for the bodies, if the souls in the vessels are set free, that maybe a different story. “My, it seems that the Demon God shows such power even while being imprisoned himself,” Tso Lan spoke off to mention this that earn his attention now. “Correct, that’s why I heard from Shadow Dragon, why he & Dark Curse do everything to be ahead of him and leave him in the dark as much as possible.” Twilight Moon stated in recalling some Dark Mystics plot about some case. “How very unfortunate for you, compared to us Demon Lords, the Demon God himself is a 1000 times, if not more so beyond any creatures comprehension.” Tso Lan remotely issued that such planning is useless, since Grimmore cannot be measured or understood by any advance science. “Why do you think we who were known as the Demon Sorcerers had a means to escape of imprisonment while Grimmore’s was more secure,” He brought forth a question for the smart mare of the organization to figure out. Twilight Moon was thinking the question, as it was a tricky one, but Tso Lan cut to the chase. “It’s because compared to our great powers & terrible actions, the Overlord King of Tartarus is far worse for this world.” Tso Lan pointed out wisely about how Grimmore is more terrifying that even his Demon Siblings fear him. “He has gain powers the likes it was by a miracle, that there were those that could only seal him away, but not destroy him. He is too powerful to destroy, too terrible a foe to face, why do you think so many Mystics fail to achieve this while many join the Dark Elf in seeking to serve he who would change the world & those that serve a god, would be given such quenchful dark hearts.” He explained the contents of a history of why Grimmore is the top of the top, the worse among all evil creatures and how lesser beings wish to side with the Dark Elf for belief of a new world order or rebirth or whatever delusional facts they come up with. “Who knows? For now, the second answer to your question is…To let them heroes second guess my existence.” Twilight Moon shrug off her shoulders to say while bringing up the next question on the topic. “Would it not be because of the truth?” Tso Lan raised an eyebrow in pondering over the question. “The truth, they don’t know or ever know. They can think I’m an evil clone, a pony whose face had plastic surgery, a creature of darkness whose appearance is base around Nightmare Moon & Twilight Sparkle. Those that know nothing will understand nothing…” Twilight Moon issued off to mention this statement that was mystically shrouded i shadow. “I’m the successor to my mistress, Nightmare Moon, who blessed me into being a member of the Cult to live in an Eternal night. But time grew on, night without sun slowly expiring the citizens while we prepared to live in eternal night by night lights & food & plants that grows from the darkness, we were already on the verge of losing hold.” She explained while recalling vague memories of another life that seem to be a world where Nightmare Moon ruled. “I see, and tell me…whatever became of….YOUR Nightmare Moon?” Tso Lan spoke in becoming intrigue by this story thus spoken by far into the matter. “She fell ill & weak so suddenly and knew that she needed to pass her power of darkness to a new ruler to her rule, I was most loyal & perfect student of Celestia, was chosen to rule in her place.” Twilight Moon explained her old history of how things became for her. “A ceremony took place, as Nightmare Moon performed a spell that let her entire self be essence to live forever in another to empower the one she deem worthy, and the fusion happened at that spot.” She spoke in recalling what the evil Nightmare Moon that she served faithfully to performed. “So that would explain why, interesting subject around my own creation & method for Nightmare Moon; In short, you swallowed all of the dark evil power of your mistress, and thus the sudden power transformed you into a new power form.” Tso Lan spoke off intrigue, so this explains why Twilight Moon seems different from Twilight Sparkle, a fusion of Nightmare Moon is the same principle property that turn Princess Luna evil; how fiendishly wonderful. “That was the day I went by a new identity as Twilight Moon, the ‘Corrupted Ex-Student’.” Twilight Moon raised her focus face in announcing who she became, as well as a title for herself. “I see, so this is the tale of one…from an Alternate World, where Nightmare Moon had not lose and carried forth her intention.” Tso Lan stated out in learning the bits of learning of Twilight Moon’s knowledge & related powers of his once created darkness that was Nightmare Moon. Twilight Moon sighed in knowing that she was by truth, a creature from an alternate world unlike Equestria Prime that she lives in and refers to. That would explain much of the riddles & confusions that she gave out to Twilight when they were fighting. But even at this time, none of the heroes of Equestria know the truth, and they won’t know until the FINAL confrontation against the Apocalypse Ponies, since it be meaningless to tell the goody-two-shoe Mane Six group this now. “But even after taking charge for my departed mistress, I needed to find a new world to start fresh since my world was already dead, practically none of the other Children Of Nightmare Moon remain and I was left alone to rule a void kingdom.” Twilight Moon stated to knowing that she was alone and needed to find a new world to start fresh to rule a new kingdom of eternal night. “But it was not meant to last forever, now was it?” Tso Lan pointed out that his vessel was not gonna be alone for long… “No, for it wasn’t long before a magic portal appeared that I meant a mysterious character in a hooded cloak that wish I join an organization under the leadership of the one I know and follow…the Superior.” As Twilight Moon spoke, vague images of herself lonely show the Superior coming to her by a portal and inviting her to join his order. “Thus, I join rank with others that share a similarity to myself to conquer this place, from learning what became of this world’s Nightmare Moon.” She stated from learning much of what became of this Prime World that never fell to Nightmare Moon from this place. “Destroyed & then revived, only to be good & lost to me.” Tso Lan stated with a gloom tone in knowing the facts. “Not quite Tso Lan, I never mentioned this, but I found what was small remains of the dark essence of the once existed Nightmare Moon.” Twilight Moon made a sly statement, stating not ALL of the original Nightmare Moon was destroyed; she has collected some of it. “You have? But I was told that Twilight Sparkle change her and she ride of her dark evil side forever.” Tso Lan spoke surprised, he thought after Twilight made Nyx realize she doesn’t have to be her old evil self, the filly that was in a mare’s body fought & destroyed that darken evil? “She did, or thought so; I have other plans to use that surviving essence to serve the organization’s evil plans.” Twilight Moon explained off that she managed to find & collect any surviving essence fragment of the original evil of Nightmare Moon and will be put to use for an evil plot. “Ah, at last…to learn this makes me joyous to learn….the last bit of my dark child is not completely gone good; I shall look forward to what you plan to do with it.” Tso Lan spoke very pleased to hear this, now at long last, his original creation, thought only a fracture and not Nyx herself, shall finally do what she was meant to do; and all from what Twilight Moon has plans for it. “You will learn, in due time. When operation: Genesis is in full effect.” Twilight Moon explained that she can’t tell the guy just yet, that is a secret for a due date with destiny. With that, the discussion was over that Tso Lan faded back in Twilight Moon’s body before the mare summoned a corridor of darkness to vanish out of sight. Seems like the little knowing of the evil Twilight is now up to speed, but we shouldn’t count our chicks before they hatch…evil plots are growing, and that’s for the future fate of Equestria….to later behold them. --------------- Shining took his family into the throne room. There's Cadance on her throne, looking a bit stressful. Twilight looked concerned. The last time she saw her sister-in-law looking like this was during the Crystal Empire's return. The Alicorn hoped that isn't the case this time. "Auntie Cadance!" Nyx exclaimed, trotting over to nuzzling her aunt by the leg. "Hey, guys..." Cadance said as she got up and trotted onward with Nyx to the others. "Cadance! Are you all right?" Twilight asked Cadance worried. "Wow! You haven't been sleeping in days. What happened?" Cadance sighed, "It's not really a big deal, Twiley; Just needed to deal with some public issues, signing autographs and sometimes, a visit from another country." The Alicorn of Love groaned and moaned. "I'm so tired..." "Maybe I could help out. After all, we're family." Twilight offered Cadance with a smile. Maybe with help from her, Ben, Nyx and the Dragons, the pink Alicorn can recover in no time! "Thanks, Twilight. You are the best filly that I can trust and count on." Cadance said as she breathed lightly with Twilight, which both had done to calm themselves. "The sooner we are done with some problems, the sooner we can have some fun." "Alright! And this time, nothing could ruin us!" Shining exclaimed with a smile, thinking that nothing can go wrong with Twilight and her family here. "Your highness," A Crystal Pony Messenger exclaimed as he came into the throne room. "Spoke too soon!" Phobos exclaimed in amusement. "What is it?" Shining asked the messenger, pondering what he wants. "Well, two messages for you, sir. One of them is a visitor from the Mystic Realm...and the other, Cadance, is a message from your family...the ones that aren't here in the throne room right now." The messenger explained, making Cadance's eyes widen in shock. "They're coming today." "WHAT?! Oh no! One visit from Mystic Realm or Country is one thing. But my family; WHY," Cadance screamed out in shock and horror. "Huh?" Nyx asked in confusion. "What do you mean?" Ben asked his cousin in concern, "Who's visiting?" "My parents," Cadance said with a sigh while shaking her head. "You have parents, Auntie Cadance?" Nyx asked in surprise. "You told me you were adopted." Twilight reminded her cousin. It's true. Cadance wasn't really Celestia's niece. Many, MANY years ago, the Alicorn started out as a young Pegasus filly whose was taken in from a nearby village by two Earth Ponies, who raised her as their filly. Twilight is surprised to hear this new information. "I am...and they are the same Earth Ponies." Cadance explained to her sister-in-law. "You see, a while later after I became an Alicorn Princess and finding the Crystal Heart Spell, I've learned that while Alicorns don't age, other ponies do. I loved my parents even if they adopted me and couldn't bear to see them die. So I asked Princess Celestia if she could make them both Alicorns." "So what did she say?" Spike asked Cadance, wondering what the answer is. "Well, my adopted auntie went to see them and asked them if they would to be Alicorns, to spend time with me for as long as they could live." Cadance said with a gentle smile. "They said yes and so, Auntie Celestia made them both Alicorns who are still living today." "Great! Then a visit from them can't be bad, right?" Nyx asked with a smile. "They lived in a mansion in Canterlot. After Shining and I came to power, I asked them to move to the Crystal Empire to be closer to us. They did...and moved their mansion which you could see from the balcony." Cadance explained as she and the family headed to the balcony. Cadance pointed to the distance. Twilight's family squinted a bit before they saw a mansion that wasn't crystal like everything else. Come to think of it, they did see it a few times, but didn't give thought to it until now. "You mean that's where your parents live?" Twilight asked, "This mansion that hasn't been crystallized?" "That's right, Twilight." Cadance replied with a nod. "So what are their names?" Spike asked Cadance curiously. "Their names are Lord Chester and Lady Lesille." Cadance explained, introducing the names to Spike. "Oh...I remember hearing the name of 'Lord Chester' back when I took over as Nightmare Moon. Nexus wanted him to be part of our Blessing...but Lord Chester stubbornly refused to go, even sending the defenses against anyone who comes near the mansion. Eventually, after a while of that madness, I decided it was best to just leave him alone." Nyx said, recalling Lord Chester back when she was Nightmare Moon during her takeover of Equestria. "Well, good thing you didn't recruit him." Phobos remarked in amusement. "Hate to see whatever talents Lord Chester got fall in the wrong claws or hooves." "Nowadays, my dad is kinda like a mad scientist, doing work in his lab on experiments and machinery." Cadance explained to the others. "Sometimes, Shining would call him in to help find ways to make the Crystal Empire adapt to the modern days." "Oh yeah, that reminds me: that's why he sent the message, it must be a respond of my request for him and Lady Lesille to come over." Shining said, recalling a request for Cadance's parents to come over which what the other message must be about. Cadance looked worried. Twilight, noticing, pat her on the back, saying, "It's okay. It should be great to see your parents again." "Whoever the visitors from Mystic Realm are, I hope their visit's friendly and kindly." Shining said, thinking back to the visitors from the Mystic Realm. "Cadance can't stand the critics and harsh stuff." "Bashers again," Twilight asked Shining and Cadance dryly. The princesses have been getting nasty critics with bad attitude problems lately. Cadance shook her head, explaining, "Actually, I met a Mystic Pegasus. He was an Ultimate Mystic Warrior. He was supposed to check on my Crystal Empire's security. He said it was great and good. But..." Shining groaned angrily, "He called Cadance a weakling; who the hay does that Ultimate Mystic Warrior think he is?!" "Who was he?" Twilight asked Shining. What kind of Mystic Pony would even think of criticizing Cadance like that? "His name is Nezha. Trust me, he was no friendly pony. He doesn't care if I was a merciful and caring pony." Cadance explained with a big frown on her face. "Only he cares for fighting and challenging enemies." "There's a legend, Twiley. He challenged a Wielder of Triforce Element." Shining explained seriously to Twilight. "And this one was an Ultimate Mystic Warrior." "What happened to him?" Twilight asked in concern. "No one knows. But Twiley, if you meet with this tough guy, make sure Ben doesn't challenge him. Trust me, I've seen his eyes. He's no ordinary pony." Shining warned Twilight of the consequences of Ben even challenging this Nezha. "Relax; I will make sure to stay clear of him." Ben said to Shining with a chuckle. "For now, let's focus on the visits and hope they can be a success so that we could help Cadance out with her stressful problems." “So Twilight, I heard you got some things after you and everyone had problems with Boris?” Shining Armor asked this question right off the bat that was something he was curious about. “Yeah, Mystic Andrew gave mommy and my aunts some interesting stuff.” Nyx nods off to say about what they got out of that. “But they prove to be more….problematic than you think.” Phobos rolled his eyes in stating that their new goodies came with problem issues. “Such as,” Shining Armor raised an eyebrow in not following this. “Well Pinkie Pie tried hers and…” Twilight slowly spoke in how to explain the matter, starting with one pony in particular. The scene shifts to where Pinkie Pie tried her new Mega Party Cannon, but she tried the missile feature and it fired too many that she wasn’t counting on that surprise. Or the surprise when those missiles exploded near some spots that luckily, no pony was hurt, but it wreck and made a lot of damages with upset eyes glaring at her. “Oops.” Pinkie Pie sheepishly said in seeing that was a boo-boo on her part, BIG TIME! “She’s needing more training for that. And then Rainbow tried hers….” Twilight stated off in what happened that her friend needs some help. Scene shows Rainbow Dash trying her new spear function of the Mystic Magical Nunchucks, she was teasing to swinging it a bit. But when she threw it without taking careful notice, it went to her theme park, busted a few holding bars, causing lots of the rides to come tumbling down. “Ahhhhhh! MY THEMEPARK,” Rainbow Dash screamed out in staring in what she did, she wreck her entire theme park, and from tat one misuse of a spear throw. “She knew how to handle nunchucks & handle a barrel cannon, but spearmenship seems new that she hasn’t gotten it. Applejack’s new lasso, well…” Twilight explained how Rainbow needed practice, but then when it came to AJ. Scene shows AJ was trying her new Min Whiplash out in wanting to lasso a tough bull that was nearby. Course the lasso whip ended up tying her up, much to her surprise instead of the bull that was supposed to be tough to catch, not the cow pony. “Darn-gone-itl Ah was wantin’ ta tussle up a tough doggy, Ah didn’t mean MAH SELF!” Applejack protest to complain in what she was trying to do here. “Her Mind Whiplash lives to its name, it has a mind to wild on its own. And Rarity….” Twilight stated out the problem before moving along to another friend. Scene shows Rarity in her home, as she was trying to take aim at some awfully ruin dress with her Gatling Eternal Blaster. But from her figure & lady-like appearance, the job was much tougher to hold such arsenal that she couldn’t control it and they were firing all over, even against her outfits. “AHHHH; I said to aim at the horrible ruin outfits, not ruin the GOOD ones too!” Rarity is heard screaming from where we see her shock face in the destruction she caused in her own home. “She knows how to use gemstones with her Eternal Style, but giving her a halting blaster weapon with her high-society lady persona seemed WAY off! And Fluttershy, she…had more problems.” Twilight pointed out a matter of what happened that was out of a simple glamour mare’s use of the gemstones, and then came their shy friend. Scene shows Fluttershy’s cottage, unit la beam blast busted a wall and then came the animals running scared. Fluttershy was seen using her Optic Crystal Blast, and from its look on her, she seem scary that made the animals run away, much to her worries. “No wait! Come back my animal friends! I’m sorry; I wasn’t prepared for that use!” Fluttershy was heard coming out in seeing what she done, she frighten her fuzzy animal buddies from that last act; she didn’t mean it, it was an accident. “Cough! Ye may wanna ask the MOOK that gave yah such things without INSTRUCTS to using them, Fluttershy.” Iago coughs from nearby from looking almost burn himself that Fluttershy’s new thing, needs some instructions to use it. “Fluttershy was not ready for that kinda power that frightened her animals away & blew a part of her home.” Twilight explained how such an act made Fluttershy very worried. “And you Twilight?” Shining Armor asked in wondering what his sister did with her own gift. “Um,” Twilight hesitated in really not wanting to say. Scene shows Twilight as she was trying her new Star Sparkle Sword, but since it was not magically connected to her, when she let go, the weapon was toss against her castle home. It slice through the walls and made the mare yelp at the destruction of that AD the new LIBRARY SECTION! And Twilight felt that it was kinda….surprising, especially when it sparks a few shooting star beams, now that made things harder. “The Star Sparkle Sword was nice, but I seem more comfy around trying to summon the StarBlade.” Twilight explained the issue in what happened that she had to state a fact. “After we all had problems, Discord repaired the damages, and then helped to fuse the Mystic items Andrew gave us with our own Equestrian base items, so that slowly, they evolve where we can handle it.” The alicorn mare explained that after cleaning up their mess, they all had those powerful Mystic Weapons fuse into their own Equestrian weapon stuff. “Twilight’s right, Andrew meant well, but he gave some really complicated & strong Mystic items he got from his thieving days to a couple of rookie Equestrians. If I didn’t have the Triforce of Wisdom to help guide me to use my own weapons & items, I have a hard time using them too.” Ben nods in agreement, giving some incredible power to those that have not even the level or the Mystic magic to follow might have a hard time controlling such things, so the fused part seem more in allowing them to use their weaponry at best while it grows and they get stronger. “So if Discord fused those Mystic weapons with your own, then what about Twily? I heard she has a hard time keeping her knew awaken weapon in physical form?” Shining Armor asked this question out in being curious of something. “Well from that fuse spell by Discord, it’s a little more better; Observe.” Twilight stated in what she could do here, show her brother & those what Discord did with the Mystic Weapons from a fusion of her own. “Poofruvhmmm…” Then appearing as a magic violet/pinkish color of aura energy, a form of a silver guard with a handle, a hilt, & a head at the end of the end of the shaft that resembles a star like Twilight’s Cutie Mark, and even in the handle center was a star mark too; There was a light blue lining design over the structure, but as far as it showed, it was still trying to keep it’s form as Twilight grasp it and felt a difference while everyone was amazed in what they saw. “The fused Star Sparkle Sword has helped allow my StarBlade to be more physical to last, but it still needs time for me to perfect it to awaken its full use. Hopefully I can against Twilight Moon, if she ever returns.” As she explained all this, she made her StarBlade vanish, but at the very least, she’s getting better. “Right, we don’t know how the Superior found her or why she looks like Twilight. She could have used a spell to make her look like Twilight to just freak us out.” Spike nods to agree while their concerns were that Ms. Moon who looked like his pal. “Well she did a good job on that.” Phobos stated how T. Moon freaked them out. “We know about her, Warring Malice and the Superior, there are still ten other Apocalypse Ponies we don’t know yet.” Nyx stated out how they only know three out of thirteen of the members that includes the Superior. “Something tells me kiddo, we’ll learn eventually. But let’s forget all the negative stuff, after all….your visit isn’t because of that, right?” Shining Armor stated tis off while suggesting they not let it get them down. The others nodded in agreement, this is about helping Candace with her own problems, not their own. Besides, the gang already solved the issue about the new gear & weapons, and the matter about the new enemies can always be done later. Right now, an important friend & family member needs their full attention. --------------- The Royal Family wait in the throne room for the visitors from the Mystic Realm to come in. And sure enough, five Mystic Ponies come into the room. One of them is Iron Brave, a grayish pony at his 30s with his short brown beard, a spiky short brown mane and tail, he wore a sharped metal helmet on his head, and a metal armor with a greenish and cyan mixed cape, his Cutie Mark was a metal sword with fire. The second is Frozen Sage, a white Unicorn mare with a white gentle mane and tail, she wore green armor and a headwear and her Cutie Mark is a long sword, shield and a giant ice crystal-like; the third Mystic Pony is Princess Icy, a white Unicorn with a blond mane and tail in a braided and her Cutie Mark was an Ice Crystal and Sword; the fourth Mystic Pony is Royal Solflare, a light purple Pegasus with a dark purple mane and tail in a ponytail and her Cutie Mark was Blazing Fire and Freezing Ice; And finally, there's Stormwar, a grayish armored of purplish Earth Pony with a brown short mane and tail and her Cutie Mark was a Lightning Shape and Sword. Cadance bows, saying, "Iron Brave, it's a honor for you and your fellow Mystic Ponies to step forth in the Crystal Empire." "Geetings, mortals," Iron Brave said roughly. "The name's Iron Brave, the Mystic Councilpony of Steel and Metal." Frozen Sage grins as she spoke, "I am Frozen Sage, the Mystic Councilpony of Ice and Guardian of Crystal Empire." "My name is Icy. Frozen's daughter," Icy said to Cadance with a bow. "Royal Solflare; Call me Sol. And I don't want any kind of royal outfit." Royal Solflare said with a scoff. "I am Stormwar!" Stormwar booms loudly. "It's an honor to meet you all." Cadance said with a giggle. She motions to the others. "Allow me to introduce the rest of my family. "This is my husband Shining Armor." "Hey there," Shining said, waving a hoof to the newcomers. "My cousin Ben Mare and my sister in law, Princess Twilight Sparkle." "Hey, good to meet you all," Ben exclaims, putting a foreleg around Twilight. Twilight motions to the rest as she speak, "Let me introduce my own kids; my daughter Nyx, my little assistant/brother/son Spike, and Nyx's pet Dragon Phobos." "Hey there," Nyx and Spike exclaims with smiles. "Whoa, you're cold!" Phobos exclaims, shivering while going near Icy. She is cold! "Very interesting; so, you are the saviors of Crystal Empire, along with the Dragon." Frozen Sage said, ignoring the comment towards Icy. "I would like to see what you had been capable of, Princess Cadance and Princess Twilight. And I expect no less from you two girls." "Thank you." The princesses said, bowing to Frozen Sage with smiles. "Okay, careful, dearie." A voice said outside, much to the notice of everyone else. Cadance gulps a bit, recognizing the voice. "Remember Chester. Be polite and try to give them a chance." A female voice said calmly to the first. "Look! I am going to do that. I just want to know what that incompetent son-in-law of mine wants!" Shining groans as two ponies came into the room. One of them is Alicorn with a black like mane, a short black tail, a pink coat, black sunglasses, gloves on his upper forelegs, a white lab coat over a black shirt, red pants, and has a royal symbol for a cutie mark. The Alicorn himself also has a black like beard. What's surprised Nyx and Spike is that he's in a wheelchair being pushed by another pony. The other pony is a female dark Alicorn with pink fur. Her mane is short and red, as is her tail. The mare is wearing a white dress and a pearl necklace while having a farming like cute mark. "Mother, father," Cadance said, coming over and hugging her mother. "Cadance, it's great to see you again, dear." Lady Lesille said with a giggle. "Chester?" "Yes, good to see you too, Cadance...and who are the rest?" Lord Chester asks curiously, glancing at the Sparkle family. "Uh, I am Cadance's adopted cousin." Ben explains awkwardly to Lord Chester. "This is my filly friend Twilight who is Cadance's sister-in-law, Twilight's daughter Nyx and the Dragons Spike and Phobos." "Which makes us your in-laws," Nyx chirps to Lord Chester. "Yes, I see. Now where's that incompetent son-in-law of mine?" Lord Chester ask impatiently, making Shining groan as he trots on over. "Ah, there you are. What is it you summoned me for?" "This." Shining said, using his magic to bring out blueprints for some huge lamp posts. "It's part of a security system which, when made, can zap out any kind of enemies. I also got plans for the Crystal Ponies to get access to phone lines and the internet." "Hmmm, their construction can be complicated...but nothing I can't handle, they are easy to make. Yes, I will get to them at once." As Lord Chester takes the blueprints and plans from Shining, Spike glances at the wheelchair, asking, "Geez, what happened to your back legs?" "Spike, sssh," Twilight shush Spike sternly. "That's rude." "Bah, it's okay. I was doing an experiment that backfired when it happened." Lord Chester explains to Twilight sternly. "I used a wheelchair since." "I still say you should've used magic to heal your legs, dear." Lady Lesille said to her husband calmly. "Then you wouldn't need my help in getting you around." "Bah! I never used magic in my life and I got no intention of doing so now! We're done here. I'm heading back to my lab!" As Lord Chester turns his wheelchair around and prepares to depart, a worried Cadance gallops over, saying, "Daddy. You just got here. Don't you want to stay around? Speak, have tea, I mean, spend family time?" "Science and security cannot wait, Cadance, not even in these times." Lord Chester snaps to his adopted daughter, making her sad. "Your mother can stay behind if she wants. I can get back on my own." "No, no. No need to endanger yourself, Chester." Lady Lesille said as she quickly heads over to help her husband out of the room, "Sorry, Cadance. Maybe once I escort your father back..." "It's okay, mother, really." Cadance said sadly while sitting down a bit in gloom. "I know daddy got important work to do..." Lady Lesille nods in sadness, obviously knowing what her husband is thinking. She pushes Lord Chester out of the room to head back to the mansion to get to work on what Shining requested him to do. "'Incompetent'," Twilight ask her brother, disbelief by what Lord Chester called him. "He got a grumpy view of me." Shining groans to Twilight in embarrassment. "Well, shall we begin with helping you out, Cadance?" Ben notices Cadance shedding tears a bit, making him concerned. Something tells the Earth Pony that it isn't the duties that his cousin is being upset or stressful... It's her father.