//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Rocinante and the Empire of Crystal // by Charliemane //------------------------------// While Rocinante and Sassaflash were carefully examining the shield in front of them, Curio was carefully examining the two ponies in front of him. They certainly didn't act like any royal guards he was aware of, but as the shield flickered in front of them, Curio realized he didn't have too much time to think about it. A few bribes and backdoor contacts may have told him about the Empire's return, but he didn't need any special information to see that the Empire was in a very real danger of being retaken by King Sombra. If he wanted to grab any artifacts to sell, he was going to have to act fast. But without any time to snoop around and look for anything sellable, the self-proclaimed knight-errant might be his best ticket to finding anything worth grabbing while they searched for something to defeat the ancient king. And even if they didn't find anything worth selling, the knight-errant had already proved to be a capable and solid distraction if things should get confrontational with either Sombra or the local authorities. With his best merchant's smile across his face, Curio quickly trotted after the two as they disappeared on the other side of the shield. “Ah, good knight! Hold up!” On the other side, Curio discovered that both Rocinante and Sassaflash had stopped, not because of his voice, but for the stunning change of scenery before them. Even Curio, who had heard of the Empire's lush fields, wasn't expecting such a dramatic change. In a single instant, They had left the arctic tundra behind and wandered into the lush temperate fields that wouldn't be out of place at all back in Equestria. “A most peculiar and amazing sight indeed cousin. But such a glorious view should not be surprising, as the forces of justice, virtue, and valor are capable of the most fascinating and invigorating results, regardless of their circumstances.” Sassaflash looked to her cousin with an incredulous glance. “I'm pretty certain you were just as shocked by this as I was.” Rocinante shrugged his shoulders as he stooped over to pick up the lance that he had dropped in surprise earlier. “While there is little difference between being stunned and surprised, there is a difference, dear Sassa.” Sassaflash sighed as Curio trotted up to the two ponies. “You said you were here to protect the Empire, right? From that darkness outside?” Rocinante nodded as Sassaflash led the way down into the city itself. “From any and all forms of darkness and evil, Mister Curio.” Sassaflash sighed again as they rounded the street corner and began walking towards the Crystal Palace. She had hoped that Curio would leave for his own business once they were inside the city, but for whatever reason, he stuck to them like glue and he only seemed more and more fascinated with their quest as Rocinante continued to say everything about their “secret” mission. The only thought that kept her unconcerned for their mission now was the fact that Curio wouldn't leave them alone long enough to tell anypony why they were here. As long as they kept a safe distance from Twilight and her friends, then their “secret” should stay safe. Seeing the castle right in front of her, Sassaflash stopped and sat down. It was a beautiful castle, covered in magical crystal from the foundation to the tip of its grand spire, but there was no time to admire the scenery. The sight of the flickering shield while they were just outside the city's edge was a powerful reminder that evil was still waiting for its chance. Despite Rocinante's confidence in their impending victory, Sassaflash couldn't help but worry as she always did. Thinking again on the crystal pendant and its remains, Sassaflash looked back towards her cousin. Whatever had happened in that swirling darkness, they couldn't do it again. Curio had said the crystal had been powered by Rocinante's hope and love, or perhaps his insane self-assurance and confidence. Sassaflash looked back to her cousin who appeared to be scanning the streets for trouble. Perhaps his foal-like devotion to the cause of right was a form of love? Perhaps his hopes for glory and honor fulfilled the requirements of the crystal? Looking back to the crystal palace ahead of them, Sassaflash examined the light reflecting off of it. If only there was some larger crystal, capable of holding and using the hopes and love of the ponies around them to repel the darkness. But could such a thing even exist? Heaving another sigh, Sassaflash looked back down to see her cousin marching steadily towards the palace. “W-Wait! Rocinante! We can't just go marching into the palace like we own the place!” Rocinante halted and turned his head back to looked at his cousin. “Of course we have no claim of ownership, dear Sassa, but we must make our presence known to the lord and lady of the land. How else will they receive us?” Sassaflash shook her head as she trotted up to her cousin. “But that's the point! They're not supposed to even know we are here!” “Her Most Noble Grace only insisted that we keep our presence hidden from Her Most Royal Highness and her champions. I can see no reason why we should not partake in the hospitality of the land. Indeed, they may possess the very knowledge we need to overcome the accursed foe once and for all!” Placing a hoof to her chin in a manner that was eerily similar to her cousin, Sassaflash contemplated Rocinante's response before replying. “That...makes sense. Princess Cadance and Shining Armor have been out here longer than we have. Perhaps they know some-” Her words however, were cut short by the sight of Twilight and her friends coming up the road. Twilight held a book in a magical grip over her head as she pranced happily towards the palace. Reacting swiftly, Sassaflash pushed her cousin, and consequently Curio, into a side street, and hoped that she was fast enough and that they hadn't been seen. “Well...we can't go to the palace now.” Rocinante nodded as he turned his head out towards the shield and the snow outside the city. “While this may increase the difficulty of our task, we must uphold our duty to Her Most Gracious Highness. Therefore, dear Sassa, we must go onwards, unto the palace. Fear not! For we shall be careful to blend in with the local servants and guards, so that we may go unnoticed by the Champions of the Sun.” Looking over the knight-errant's armor and lance that was now infamous amongst the guards in Canterlot, Sassaflash could only frown. “They may have worked on a train full of familiar ponies, but I don't think the guards will just let us in, let alone sneak about after Twilight.” Rocinante put a hoof to his chin and began thinking of alternatives when suddenly Curio coughed into his own hoof. “Perhaps we might try a museum? Or library? Surely they would have some knowledge of valuable artifacts...for our mission, that is.” Curio smiled widely in response to Sassaflash's inquisitive glare, but Rocinante quickly nodded in agreement and set off towards the street where Twilight and company had come from. “Indeed! A place of learning and culture would no doubt have numerous, nay countless, tomes of knowledge that could be useful in learning of our foe!” As the shield flickered above them, the ponies stopped in their tracks and looked at one another briefly. “Perhaps we should hurry.” “Indeed.”