//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: To Find a Crystal Pony // Story: To Build an Army // by Tree Time //------------------------------// “Wake up sleepy, its breakfast time!” Golden said poking me in the side with her hoof. “Alright, alright. I am up,” I said rolling to my hooves. “Great, this way.” she replied, leading me down the hall. We made our way through some long tunnels. The place was alive with other ponies. Some heading the same way we were. Other armed with spears and armour moving to locations unknown. The whole place seemed to hum with a stillness as each of us prepared for the fight ahead. The mess hall was dim, and not vary flashy. Large bales of hay were stacked to one side of the room. A line of ponies formed leading to them. I waited my turn and loaded a large bawl full of the sub par looking dried greenery. I looked around the room for somepony to sit with. I was feeling a little bit out of place among all this these military ponies. My eyes landed on Pinkie Pie. She was sitting with Maud in the corner of the room. I made my way over to her. “Hey, Pinkie how's it going?” I asked sitting down next to her. She looked at me briefly, then back at her hay. Maud put her hoof on Pinkie's shoulder. “What have we been taking about?” she asked, looking at Pinkie softly. “Hello,” Pinkie mumbled without looking up from her bowl. “She has not been the same since her friend Twilight died,” Maud explained. “She always did take things rather hard.” Maud blinked slowly before taking a bite out of the rock she had sitting in a bowl in front of her. “Would you like some?” she asked, noticing my attention. “It's limestone.” “No, I'm fine with my hay.” “Okay,” she replied. “You making some new friends?” Golden asked joining in. “I guess you could say that,” I replied, Checking over at the hour glass that was hung over the entrance. There was still a little time before we had to report to the launchpad for deployment. “Say, Pinkie. Granny Smith asked me to tell you that the crusaders got their marks just a few weeks ago.” Pinkie's ears perked up, but the rest of her stayed dull. “That's nice,” shy replied softly. “Hey,” Golden asked, changing the topic. “You want to go get our combat vests?” I finished scarfing down the last of my hay. Glad for any reason to remove myself from this increasingly awkward situation. The hay for its part at least was supersizing good given what it looked like. “Catch you two in a bit.” I said, giving a half wave to Pinkie and Maud. We stashed our bowls in the dish bucket and made our way to the armoury. The unicorn there was a sweet looking mare. She had a yellow and red mane, yellow coat and red and yellow sun mark on her flank. “These vests are designed to act as an energy diffuser to reduce the effectiveness of the weapons used by crystal ponies,” she explained. We suited up, and made our way to the deployment zone. “Did you know her?” Golden asked. “No, she just reminds me of a somepony Twilight once mentioned.” Soon, we were standing in the cold blustering wind just before dawn's first light. Dash was prowling in front of us, giving a pep talk before our departure. “...and no matter what, we must succeed. All of Equestria is counting on us. If you have any miss givings leave them on this platform. Today is the day Celestia's light will once again rain over Equestria!” Dash stamped her hooves, “Who's with me?!” The rest of the group each stamped the ground with force. I was a little late to the punch. I glanced around, but no one seemed to have notice. “Get in position,” Dash command. First light still below the horizon. I readied myself for what was to come next. “Fly!” Dash roared. The group of pegasi that had been standing behind us leaped into the air, a hook on the underside of their vests latching to a ring on the back of ours. They pulled us up with them, soaring out high over the mountain tops. Our shadows were lost on the rocks. The dark sky hiding all definition of the ground below. Far off in the distance I could see the yellow dome shielding the Crystal City. It glowed brightly against the darkness of the morning sky. We cleared the mountains, and dove down, cutting up just a few meters from the ground. I felt my stomach lurch as we skimmed out over the lowlands that surrounded to the Crystal City. All around the land looked like it had been warped by some chaotic force. Huge spires of black crystal randomly jutted out from the ground. We soared through the spires, keeping low the the ground. Despite the danger I couldn't help feeling exhilarated. I was soaring through the air, and what's more, I was finally going to put all my combat training to some real use. Rounding the last pillar, we set down just over a small ridge near the west side of the Crystal City's barrier. The first light of dawn began creeping over the land. The pegasi that had been carry released the claps, dropping us as our hooves met the ground. They then sped back into the air to begin their secondary objective. Maud wasted no time. With hooves on the ground she began to paw the earth. “Here,” she said looking at Pinkie. The two of them leaped into action, sending a spry of rock fragments into the air as they borrowed into the earth. Aloe and Lotus took up clearing the shower of pebbles that collected from the tunnelling sisters. Dash stood watch pressing her body to the ridge. Her eyes spying the dome for signs of activity. Golden and I joined with the former spa ponies to help clear the loose stones from the ever growing tunnel. It didn't take long Maud to poke her head back above ground. “We have hit a mine shaft.” she reported slowly. “We can move forward with phase two.” Dash motioned for us to follow Maud into he tunnel. One by one we slid our way into the dark cavern below. Dash was last to enter, lading in the mine shaft behind me. The tunnel was illumined by the dim glow of the barrier. Its presents cutting off our progress towards the Crystal City. “Your up,” Dash said to the four of us. Aloe took the lead and moved to the glowing yellow force field. She place her hooves on the shields surface. I could see it ripple as she began to unmake its spell lattice. Lotus was next up, moving in beside Aloe and adding her focus to the task. The two of them worked in perfect unison, kneading the field with their hooves. Slowly a small opening began to form, that was my cue. I moved in and started to force the opening wider and wider. With a hole now big enough of a pony, Golden slipped through. Once on the over side she pressed her hooves to the field, taking some of the stain off the rest of us. Pinkie and Maud were next to slid through the opening, followed closely by Dash. Now it was time for the tricky part. The three of us worked ourselves slowly through the opening, taking careful pains to keep the shield stable as not to alert anypony to our infiltration. The group let out a sigh of relief as my back hoof cleared the barrier. Slowly, Aloe and Lotus allowed the shield to close. With the barrier restored, Dash began to lead the way down the tunnel. The path illuminated by the small vine of glowing crystals ran along the ceiling. I could feel a light breeze on the back of my mane from the air being drawn along by the vine. “Maud,” Dash asked, has your assessment of the mine's probable layout changed?” “It has not,” Maud replied. Dash grinned. The tunnel opened out into a large domed cavern. Five other shafts lead out in different directions like spokes from a central wheel. In the centre of the cavern were four metal chains. I expected they were attached to elevator platforms that were used to being up and lower ore, personal and equipment. I could feel the air flowing gently through the central shaft, following the crystal vanes that lined the walls. Their was a grinding of metal. One of the chains stared to move. I watched as a mine cart full of crystal ore was pulled up past our group. Dash smirked, “we jump on it as it passes by again,” She explained. “When we reach the working level, we take out the guards and snag the prize. We then ride one of the unoccupied lifts back here and have ourselves a little debrief. After we figure out the best to use the asset, we can move on to our next objective. Everypony clear?” We all nodded. Dash turned her attention back to the lift, “Here it comes.” Quickly we gathered around the edge closest to the descending platform. As it passed, Golden, Aloe, Lotus, and I jumped into the dirty mine cart. Pinkie and Maud held potion waiting for Dash's signal. It was cramped. I was at the bottom with Golden scrunched next to me. On top of us were the flower twins, pressing their bodies low to ours to avoid being seen prematurely. I managed to twist my neck enough to watch the remaining three grow small as we were lowered down into the dimly lit depths of the mine. I noted the number of other levels passing. Each looked almost identical to the one we had left from. The sound of chipping stone came into earshot as the platform past the thirteenth level and came to a rest on the lowest floor of the mine. Without hesitation the twins shot from the cart, I felt Golden give a grown as they used her like a springboard to make they entrance. There was silence form outside the cart, punctuated only by the sound of chipping stone. Golden righted herself and clambered off me onto the mine floor. I got up and hauled myself from the cart. The scene was bleak. A line a crystal ponies were chipping away at the cavern walls. They seemed to be slowly rounding it out like the floors above. Four long tunnels lead out from the main room. Some of ponies were chained to large carts that they pulled along smooth stone tracks. All the colour had faded from their coats. They looked broken, beaten, and exhausted. Suddenly, I heard two thumps from behind me. I nearly jump with shock. I whirled around to see Pinkie, Dash and Maud standing on the ground beside the cart. The chain attached to the platform we had arrived on swag slightly. “So which one his she?” Dash demanded. I gave a silent prayer to Equestria in hopes that Winnow was not in some other location. I looked around. The crystal ponies didn't seem to even register we were here. They continued working with dull indifference. I scanned the room quickly. My eyes flashing over each of the twenty or so ponies. Not one of them matched the one in my dream. “Shes not among these ones,” I reluctantly reported. “Diane, I want you to take him down the first tunnel, we will hold the platforms. Single if you need backup,” Dash instructed. Pinkie saluted in acknowledgement. I just had time to nod. She moved stealthily over to the first tunnel. Her actions may have become militarized, but she still hadn't fully shaken the Pinkie Party Prance. I followed, wounding if her moments were even necessary as none of the crystal ponies had even batted an eye at us since we arrived. They seemed to work without reason. To my surprise there was no sign of task masters or guards of any kind. They just worked like they knew nothing else. Suddenly from the tunnel opposite form me, a mare pulling a cart fill of raw crystal ore came onto our party. Her coat was shimmering with crystal shine. She reacted to us instantly, bucking her load and making to run for the nearest platform. Dash was on her in a flash. I didn't even have time to utter “stop,” before Dash struck. She landed on the back of the crystal pony with a sickening crack that pinned it to the ground. The helpless pony tried to fight back, but Dash had her and was not letting go. “That's her,” I called out in panic. Seeing the shine start to fade from its body. Pinkie and Maud shot over to it and secured the pony's legs. Dash climbed off. She flicked some clear viscus fluid from her hooves as she trotted over to me. “Shes all yours,” Dash said with a sense of self satisfaction. I rushed over to her. “Pinkie, Maud get off her.” I ordered fiercely. They complied. “Winnow, do you know me.” The pony smiled, “the one from my dream.” her words were fading. I felt my mind clear, my attention going to her back. Dash's hooves had left a deep crack in her soft crystal body, and her vital fluids were quickly leaking out. I let out a deep sigh of frustration. I leaned over Winnow and placed my hooves on her back. With the same motions I used to enter Equestria's sanctum, I moved the crystal rock of Winnow's body. I fleet her melt together. The light of her coat slowly returning. I exhaled deeply, letting myself sag backwards onto my rump. I had been unable to draw much magic form the land. All I had given her had come from my reserves. I felt weak and a little dizzy. I was trying to catch my balance when she leaped on me like a crashing wave of loving endearment. I felt her nuzzle and lick my face, softly nibbling at my ear. I understood her intent, but her mannerisms where vary different from what I was use to. I genteelly tried to nudge her off me. She yielded and rolled off on to her hooves, ears upright and focused in my direction. “Winnow, we need your help to stop King Sombra. I was told you had knowledge on how to use the crystal heart to end his shadow.” She nodded, giving a clearly uneasy glance at the other members of my team. Every one of them, other then Golden, looked to be in some degree of shock. Golden just grinned. I could swear I knew what she was thinking. I gave her a disapproving glace. Then, looked back at Winnow with hopeful eyes. “Hit the heart and free the hearts locked inside,” she whispered gazing around the room at the other crystal ponies still going about their work. “Do you know the spell?” I asked She nodded, “Do you know the heart?” I shook my head, “you will need to be the one to do it.” “Oh, but do you have it for me to work with?” I shook my head again, “that's what comes next, but I must ask. How are you shiny, and talking?” “I woke up last night after my dream, and then I was happy again, and now I can be here.” I looked back at Dash, relief pouring through me. “Dash, your mouth is still open,” I said, sounding concerned. She sorta composed herself, “How?” is all she could say. “That was like totally amazing!” Pinkie squealed colour flushing her fur. Maud smiled slightly and blinked slowly. “Magic,” I replied to them, still a little cross with Dash. My mind hadn't worked out if what had happened to Winnow was her fault or just bad circumstances. “You will have to teach us, yes?” Aloe and Lotus asked in unison. “Later, I think,” I replied, still feeling weak. “Commander Dash, what is our next move?” I asked, trying to push attention away from my magic. Dash shook her head as if to clean it. “Winnow,” she asked looking down at the submissively postured crystal pony. “Do you know the way to the armoury?” “I do,” Winnow replied her attention half distracted by the yellow gem stone hanging around Dash's neck. “Then how do we get there from here?” Dash demanded. I watched Pinkie make a funny disapproving face at her brashness. I couldn't help but smile in spite of myself. Winnow pointed up the mine shaft, “At the top there are two ways. One goes to the refinery, the other to the weapon rooms. The weapons are guarded. You must know, right?” “We made sure we would have what we need,” Dash grinned stretching her hind legs. “Now, does one of the weapon rooms have a large monster that is held inside block of crystal?” “Yes, it is a beast of many beasts” “Could you take us there?” Dash asked, seeming to soften her tone just a little. “I can lead, but not fight much. Little food, and hard work do not go well with fighting.” Maud opened a pocket on her vest and pulled our a blue gem. She offered to Winnow. Winnow's eyes lit up. Hungrily she gobbled down the shiny stone. Maud smiled. Winnow affectionately bumped her muzzle into Maud's. Maude just continued to smile. Dash jumped into the air, “we will split into to groups. Aloe, Lotus, Diane, and Maud, you are group A, combat. The rest of you are group B, support. Just try and stay out of our way.” Dash pointed to a platform that was being loaded with a cart of waste rock. She pushed the cart off the platform, “group A, your up.”The four of them claimed onto the elevator. Dash hit the release switch, causing it to start climbing. “Don't follow us until we send this platform back down,” Dash ordered. This time I manged to give a good saluted before she took off up the mine shaft. I turned to Golden, watching with her as the crystal ponies started to clean up the mess Dash had made of their work. “Winnow,” Golden asked, “what happened here?” Winnow's ears flattened back. “When we fled our homeland to Equestria, we used the crystal heart to unite us. Now, the heart holds us. Without it at the centre of our city we are not whole. It had a place long ago, now its our greatest falling.” “Fled?” Golden nudged, sounding interested. “We are not of Equestria, we had our own world. But with light comes shadow, and the darkness those shadows cast overwhelmed us.” A defeated look came over Golden's features. “No one came to help?” Golden asked slowly. Winnow shook her head, “no one goes to a lost cause.” “And now the creatures that killed your world have followed you here to finish the job.” Golden asked, sounding conflicted. “No, they are always and forever. They came as nightmares before they came as shadows.” “The changing spirits,” I said slowly. “They killed your whole world.” Winnow's ears drooped. “They are always hungry.” There was a small thump as the platform returned. “Guess we need to be going now.” I said, pointing to the newly arrived elevator. The three of us climbed on to it and I hit the release switch. We steadied ourselves as the platform lurched upwards. Fifteen flours latter, we arrived in a large domed room. More stone tracks lead a down a large passage to our right. Next to the shafts opening were four large wheels with glowing yellow gemstone lodged at their centre. Chains ran from drums at the base of each wheel, through pulleys on the ceiling, to each of the elevator platforms. Two crystal ponies stood looking blankly at us as we rose to their eye level. The members of team A were standing on guard at each of the two passages. The lines of air flow crystals ran up the walls and out through a vent in the ceiling. Dash stood wings folded, operating the platform control lever. “Which way?” Dash asked as the three of us stepped off the elevator onto the stone floor. Winnow pointed to her right, “fourth door, right side. That is where it was when I was fitting for war.”