//------------------------------// // Booked at the Crystal Empire // Story: Accelerated Dash // by Wildcard25 //------------------------------// One afternoon in Ponyville, at the spa Accelerated Dash was enjoying some much needed pampering. Zeck was currently relaxing in the hot tub, Damien was getting a massage by Aloe, Tyler was kicking back in a chair while getting his toe nails filed, Josh was getting his hair done by Lotus Blossom, and Derek was getting a facial. "Ah, yes. This is the life ain't it, boys?" Zeck asked, while soaking. "You said it," Damien agreed, "Ooh, yup, that's the spot. Aloe, you really know where to get a guy's spots." "It's what we do best here, Mr. Lazuli." she replied. "Please, call me Damien," he thought to himself, 'I'm glad I decided to just go with this massage instead of that extra-strength-hot-stone-deep-tissue massage.' he shuddered as he saw the bulky white pegasi who was doing it to some poor helpless customers. "I have to admit, we did not expect to see you boys here." Lotus Blossom said. "Well, Rarity did recommend this place for a little R&R." Josh answered. "It is quite rare we get the chance to provide service to celebrities like yourselves." Aloe said. "Well, we can't ultimately call ourselves celebrities yet." Derek replied. "Yeah. Just because we've put on a few concerts so far doesn't mean we rank up with the real celebs in this world." Tyler added. "Even so, you boys have proven to be quite popular among the locals in Ponyville." Lotus said, as she was finishing Josh's hair. "Yeah. That is a good accomplishment." Zeck admitted, until Twilight and the girls came in. "Zeck, guys. I'm glad we caught you." Twilight said. "We're in the middle of some pampering, Twilight. Can it wait?" Derek asked. Sorry, but here's something you're going to want to hear." the Princess began. Zeck swam to the edge of the tub and leaned over to listen, "We're all ears." "I got a letter from Cadence and my brother, and they would like you boys to perform at the Crystal Empire." "Crystal Empire?" Tyler asked. "That's the kingdom your bro and Cadence rule, correct?" Josh inquired. "That's right. The Crystal Empire's having it's annual Crystal Fair, and they want you guys to perform." "Hmm. The Crystal Empire was on our list of places to tour." Damien admitted. "So you'll do it?" Twilight asked hopefully. "Tell Princess Cadence, we'll be there." Zeck answered. "Oh, this is so great! I'll message them right away. Come on, Spike!" Twilight dragged Spike along. Applejack noticed Rarity was already in a robe getting ready for a little spa treatment, "Rarity." "What? You think I'm going to walk into a spa and not get a treatment, I wouldn't hear of it." she answered, as the girls rolled their eyes. Sometime later, the ponies and the boys were on the train bound for the Crystal Empire. Tyler spoke up, "So this empire was originally ruled by a tyrant pony named Sombra?" "That's right." Twilight confirmed. "But the princess banished him to the arctic while he made the empire vanish?" Derek asked. "Correct. It was up until a year or so ago it resurfaced along with Sombra himself." the princess explained. "But like all enemies we've dealt with he got the kibosh and is history." Rainbow boasted. "Since then Cadence and Shining Armor have ruled over the empire." Twilight concluded. "How lucky can ya get, ruling a whole kingdom?" Derek asked. "Don't be so sure, Derek," Josh began, "You know ruling a kingdom, country, or anything is not an easy feat." "Trust me, it isn't." Twilight agreed. The train soon pulled into the station and the passengers were let off. When they got off, Twilight looked around, until a voice called out to her, "Twilight!" Twilight looked over and saw her brother waiting, "Shining Armor!" she galloped over and met her brother in an embrace. "It's great to see you," he greeted her, before turning to everyone else, "And the rest of you." As the boys walked over, Twilight introduced them, "Shining Armor, this is Accelerated Dash. Zeck, Tyler, Derek, Damien, and Josh. Boys, this is my older brother Shining Armor." "Nice to meet you, guys." Shining Armor greeted them. "Likewise." Zeck replied, as the fist/hoof pounded. "It's great to hear you agreed to perform at the Crystal Fair for us." the captain said gratefully. "Well, who're we to deny a request from the brother and sister-in-law of Twilight here?" Derek asked. "Come on, Cadence is waiting at the castle." Shining Armor said. "Then it's time to get into my disguise." Spike said, before dawning a trench coat, fedora, and sunglasses. "Why do you need a disguise?" Damien asked, "Does this place hate dragons?" "No, but I'm kinda a major celebrity here." "A celebrity?" Josh wondered. "We'll explain on the way." Twilight said, as they headed off. As they walked through the Crystal Empire, the boys were astounded by the layout looking like one big crystalized sanctuary, as well as the inhabitants themselves. "How do they get there mane's to shine like that?" Josh asked in amaze. "It's natural to them." Rarity explained. Zeck was speaking with Spike as they walked, "So you not only got the Crystal Heart to Cadence, but you saved the Equestria Games that was held here as well?" "That's right. As you can see I've developed quite a fan club." Spike answered, as he glanced over at a gift shop loaded with Spike merchandise. "Bro, you are one popular dragon." Tyler nudged him. "Way to go!" Derek slapped him on the shoulder a little too hard causing Spike to lose his fedora and sunglasses leaving him exposed. One mare noticed this and let out a fan squeal, "It's Spike the Dragon!" Suddenly a whole crowd of Crystal Ponies spotted him and let out a fan squeal as well, much to Spike's fright. "Fan mob!" Pinkie screamed in fright, as Fluttershy cowered. "I got to get out of here!" Spike cried. "I gotcha!" Tyler called, as he picked him up, and started running with the others following him as the fan mob went after them. "Tyler, don't let me go!" Spike pleaded. "Don't worry, bud. You're in good hands." he replied before ducking around a corner. The mob went back Shining Armor and the girls and went around the corner, "Tyler!" the boys cried as they came around the corner and saw no sign of him or Spike. "Where'd they go?" Damien asked. "Right here." a voice whispered. They looked and saw Spike and Tyler standing around acting casual while holding newspapers up to hide their faces. "Did they just run right past you two?" Zeck asked in disbelief. "Sometimes, locals can be so gullible." Spike chuckled with Tyler. "Come on, let's get to the castle before another mob shows up." Twilight suggested, as they continued on. They arrived as the castle and saw the statue of Spike holding the crystal heart, "Wow. I want a statue erected of me." Derek gasped. "Don't start posing for one." Zeck replied. Damien looked at the rotating Crystal Heart, "So that's the Crystal Heart?" "You betcha." Applejack confirmed. "It's exquisite." Josh marveled. "It certainly is." Rarity confirmed. "Right this way, you guys." Shining Armor showed the boys in with the girls. They walked into the castle while marveling at the crystal décor. They entered the throne room seeing Cadence who smiled and trotted over. "It's so good to see you all. Thank you so much, boys, for agreeing to perform here for the Crystal Fair." "It's our pleasure, Cadence." Zeck answered. "So when does this fair begin?" Damien asked. "Tomorrow morning. I hope that'll give you boys plenty of time to practice." "That's more than enough for us." Zeck answered, "And I have a little extra surprise planned for the good ponies of the Crystal Empire." "What're ya talking about?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Accelerated Dash is going to be a six person band tonight." Zeck answered, as the rest of his pals were confused as well as the girls. "Six?" Fluttershy asked curiously. "Oh, oh, can it be me? Please? Please? Pretty please?!" Pinkie groveled. "Actually, it's already been decided." Zeck answered, "Five boys... And one dragon." At that moment, all eyes fell onto Spike who looked lost for words, "Me, really?" he asked. "The Crystal Empire adores you, Spike. Why don't we give them what they want?" Zeck offered. "You sure about this, Zeck?" Damien asked. "Of course. I mean think about it, a dragon performing with us. If that won't bring in the audience I don't know what will." "It would definitely be a challenge," Josh admitted, "And Spike, didn't you say you'd sing by yourself form time to time?" "Well, yeah. But when I tried singing in front of a crowd I cracked." Spike answered, remembering his pitiful attempt to sing at the Equestria Games. "Because you were under pressure caused by yourself." Twilight reminded him. "Don't worry, Spike, we'll help ya through it. First thing's first, we need a place to practice." Zeck said. "Follow me, I have just the place." Cadence said, as she showed them off with the others following. Meanwhile outside the Crystal Empire, the sirens and Lapis looked out into it, "Gaze upon it, girls," Ballad began, "The Crystal Empire." "About a thousand years ago it was one of the greatest kingdoms in all of Equestria." Tempo added. "And here it is today looking just as glorious as ever." Presto finished. "It's looks so beautiful from way up here." Lapis gasped. "That it does." Ballad agreed, "And the ponies there are just loaded with energy for us to assimilate. "And tomorrow's the Crystal Fair. A perfect opportunity." Tempo added. "Come on, let's go scope the place out." Presto suggested, as the four took off.