Maud stared at Geode for a few seconds, her heart pounding louder and louder by the second. She had heard many tales about King Sombra. He had imprisoned the crystal ponies in chains, and was the worst tyrannical leader to ever be seen. Maud also heard that he used torture devices to ponies who wouldn't obey his rule. This all brought a shiver to Maud. She couldn't bear to imagine the ponies she's met in the Empire bound in chains; never to see past the dark clouds again.
Maud looked out the window, seeing the darkness rapidly approaching. For the first time in years, fear seized her. It was suddenly very hard to breathe. She hoped to Celestia there was a shelter they can get into while in the Empire.
As the helicopter entered the Crystal Empire, it seemed as though the stallions breathed a sigh of relief. Maud looked over, confused.
"What? Did we get rid of him?"
Geode nodded, catching his breath. "Y-yeah. He can't get in the Crystal Empire. The Crystal Heart is protecting it, and he can't break through it. We're safe."
It took Maud a few moments to calm down. "Oh. Good."
Geode nodded. "Yeah."
The two took off their mining vests, about ready to take their rocks with them. Suddenly, to their dismay, a large cracking sound was heard. It seemed to come from all around. Maud watched Geode's face go pale.
"Ice Frost..."
Ice nodded and landed the helicopter. "I hear ya! You two get to shelter as soon as possible! Go!"
The two ran out of the helicopter, leaving their mining vests behind. They looked at the barrier of the Crystal Empire. To their fears, it was cracking. A bit of darkness seemed to be seeping in.
Maud ran at full speed, letting nothing stop her. She was running to Cadence's castle, since she knew that the castle must have a safe place to stay. It looked like Geode had the same idea, and let nothing stop him on his endeavor to gallop to the castle.
When they reached the shimmering blue structure, they quickly slammed the doors open, desperately trying to find Princess Cadence. She would be able to help. Geode pointed towards the throne room and they ran; nothing being heard besides their echoing hoof-steps.
As they reached the throne room doors, they flung them open. They saw a scared Princess Cadence and Shining Armor, the latter holding his young filly as tightly as he could to him, who was holding him tightly in return. It looked like they were too scared to move. They noticed the two in the doorway and ran to them.
"Follow me. I need to lead you to a shelter. Come quickly!" Cadence ordered, running down the hallways. Shining Armor, Maud, and Geode ran after her at full speed, hoping to quickly get to the shelter.
After running down a few more corridors, Cadence flung open a trap door. She bounded down the stairs with the others following close on her tail. When they got downstairs, Shining Armor cast a protective spell on the lock, making it impossible for any magic, even dark magic, to break it except for his own. Once the door was locked, they all took a breather, their breaths heavy and ragged.
Cadence looked between the two, the fear in her eyes slightly subsiding. "Are you two alright?" She asked, her voice shaky.
Maud and Geode timidly nodded their heads, their pupils small.
They four all took another few minutes to breathe, while Flurry Heart was playing with her father's mane. It looked like Cadence's fear was rising.
"Oh my... my subjects! They might be in chains by now!" Cadence said, standing up. She then started to pace. "Oh, what to do?!" She thought before teleporting a few scrolls in front of her. She also teleported two quills in front of the scrolls, and then started writing two messages at the same time. Almost instantly, she cast a spell on them, and they were gone. Cadence took a breath.
"I have informed the other princesses about the threat, and have told them to come as soon as possible. We need as many reinforcements as we can get."
Shining Armor nodded. "That's good. Are Twilight's friends coming?"
Cadence nodded. "I asked her to teleport them along. I gave the teleporting coordinates, so they should be here soon. Since Twilight is an alicorn, it should be little trouble for her to teleport all her friends here."
Shining quietly nodded, taking a few more deep breaths.
Maud took this time to scan the interior. It was a nice little room with a few lights. There was no furniture. It was just a small, shelter area.
A bright flash of light appeared in front of them. When the brightness subsided, Maud set eyes on Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, who seemed like they were frightened.
Celestia looked to Cadence. "How did King Sombra even get in the Empire? The Crystal Heart was restored!"
Cadence nodded, starting to panic. "I know! Maybe he got stronger! He probably did! But... to defeat friendship and love like that to get in here..." she put a hoof to her head. "Maybe not everything was in Sunburst's spell when he helped restore the Heart. I mean... the Heart was never destroyed up to that point, so..."
Celestia put a hoof on Cadence's shoulder. "Whatever it is, he obviously grew more powerful. And now, we must stop him."
Another flash of light suddenly appeared as well. When the flash deceased, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie were seen, their faces filled with fright, anger, and determination. Twilight spread her wings, looking to Cadence.
"Cadence... we're here!"
Rainbow Dash levitated into the air. "Yeah! Let's kick his flank with friendship!" She remarked as she punched her hooves together.
Pinkie Pie gasped as she caught sight of Maud. "Maud! I forgot you were here! Oo-"
Applejack put a hoof in her friend's mouth, cutting her off. "Pinkie, now's no time for a family reunion. We have to save the Empire!"
Pinkie slowly nodded as Applejack withdrew her hoof. They then all locked eyes with Princess Celestia, who looked from Princess Luna to the mane six.
"I think I have a solution for this."
Twilight cocked her head to the side. "What are you thinking, Celestia?"
Celestia took a deep breath. "We... should reform Sombra."
"What?!" The six, along with Luna, shouted, their eyes narrowing. Celestia kept a natural look, nodding.
"Yes. He has been consumed with dark magic. We just need to use friendship and a dark magic removal spell to take care of it, and then he'll go back to being the stallion he was before touching dark magic."
Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Wait... can dark magic turn into an... addiction?"
Celestia nodded. "I'm afraid so. Sombra had an overdose of dark magic a long time ago, and now it has taken control of his body. His true self is buried beneath the darkness, and only the most powerful magic in the land can help break him from his fate."
Everypony nodded as Celestia turned. "So... let's go! There's no time to lose!"
Everypony started to leave the shelter, Pinkie waving to Maud before she left. Before Cadence ascended the stairs, she looked to Shining Armor, who was still sitting down.
"Shining? Are you staying?"
Shining nodded. "Yes. I need to keep Flurry Heart calm."
Geode reached a hoof out. "Prince Shining Armor, sir, Maud and I can take care of the new princess. It seems like all reinforcements are needed for this."
Shining raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Flurry Heart is an alicorn. It will be extremely hard to keep an eye on her."
Geode nodded his head. "I'm sure. This room will be locked, so she will have to stay in here."
Shining nodded, giving the foal to Geode. "I normally wouldn't let others handle her, but this is an exception. I can tell you two are earnest and will be good caretakers." Cadence then walked up the staircase, Shining Armor behind. "We'll be back once we're finished, and I'll unlock it. In case of emergency, there is a way to open the lock from the inside."
Maud and Geode nodded. "Good luck!" They chorused as Shining Armor closed and locked the door.
Silence plagued the room for a few seconds. Maud and Geode looked from each other to the foal who was currently looking around, confused. Flurry Heart then looked up to Geode, and her eyes started to water.
It looked like Geode was starting to panic. "Um... Princess Flurry Heart... it's okay, your parents will be just fine."
These words seemed to have no effect on the foal, considering it looked like she was about to burst into tears.
Maud noticed this and motioned for Geode to give the princess to her. After the foal was in Maud's arms, she instantly calmed down.
Geode looked at Maud in confusion. "H-how?"
Maud looked over to him and blinked. "Princess Flurry Heart was restless in your hooves because you were nervous. Foals can pick up on nervousness and fright very easily, which makes them scared as well. If you're calm, the foal will be calm."
Geode raised an eyebrow. "Wait... she was okay when Prince Shining Armor was holding her, and he was terrified. So..."
"The Prince is her father. Foals can always be held by their parents, since they have a really special connection with them. They can be a bit nervous around ponies they don't know. That's why we have to be calm."
Geode nodded and scooted closer to Maud. He then stroked the foal's mane, giving her a smile.
At the feeling of his touch, Flurry Heart instantly started to tear up again. Geode took his hoof away, confused.
Maud flashed him a teasing glance. "I guess she doesn't like you."
Geode huffed and crossed his hooves. "Apparently so."
Maud looked from him to Flurry Heart. "I'll relax her with my rock poems. She'll hopefully be able to rest within a few minutes."
Maud started with reciting her poems, and Geode watched in awe as Flurry Heart started to slowly close her eyes.
Geode paced around the room, eagerly looking at the door, preparing for it to open. It had been over an hour, and Shining Armor had still not returned.
Geode turned to Maud, who was now stroking the awakening Flurry Heart. "Maud... what do we do if Shining Armor doesn't return by nightfall?"
Maud's ears flicked as she looked up to him. "Why do you doubt him and the others?"
Geode's eyes flicked around the room. "I'm not doubting them! I'm just... making sure we have a backup plan. Maud... we will need food! However, it wouldn't be safe to leave if Shining and the others were never able to make it back!"
Maud gave him a stern glance. "Let's not doubt them. I know they will do well. Remember, King Sombra's going against the magic of friendship. And, if the problem is just a dark magic overdose, they should be able to help him soon."
Geode looked between Maud and the trap door. "Uh... I guess you're right. Sorry, I worry too much."
Maud waved a free hoof. "That's understandable. I'm a little scared myself, but I've buried it, considering I need to keep Flurry Heart relaxed."
At this, the two heard something fiddling with the lock. It was the only sound to be heard. Geode backed up a step.
"What if that's... King Sombra?!"
Maud raised an eyebrow. "Geode, only Prince Shining Armor can unlock this door. There's nothing to worry about."
The door opened as the three saw a white head poking down, a smile on his face. Flurry Heart immediately recognized her father and flew over to him. Shining descended a few more steps, smiling at the two.
"Hello. I hope Flurry Heart wasn't much trouble."
Maud gave him a smile. "She was such a sweet foal. I was able to get her to rest in my hooves."
Shining Armor smiled back at her. "Oh, well, I thank you for taking good care of her! We did not want her to be scared while we were gone." After putting Flurry Heart on his back, he continued. "Oh, and our mission is complete! Sombra has been reformed with the magic of friendship! Why don't you two come outside to meet him? He's very nice!" Shining ended as he ascended the stairs.
Maud looked to Geode, who seemed to be breathing a few breaths of relief. "Thank Cadence he's reformed..."
The two soon made their way up the stairs, and Shining shut the door, locking it. They then all walked to the outside, where everything seemed to look normal. There were no dark clouds over the Empire, and all the cracks on the barriers seemed to have been fixed. The streets were quiet, but that was to be expected.
The silence was broken by a loud, high-pitched giggle that Maud knew all too well.
"Oh, I need to throw a party! A Sombra-Is-Reformed-Party!" Pinkie then pulled her party cannon out of nowhere and blew it, confetti spraying into now-reformed-Sombra's face. Sombra shook his head, letting all the confetti fall out of his neat, black and blue mane. He smiled at Pinkie.
"That would be fun. Thank you."
"Oh, no problem, Sombra! It's been over a thousand years since you've had a party!"
Maud smiled at the sight of her sister and started to walk forward. However, the closer she got to Sombra, she noticed that Geode wasn't beside her anymore. She turned and saw Geode frozen in place, his eyes filled with fear.
Maud slightly rolled her eyes before walking over and pushing him forward. "Don't be rude. Sombra is reformed now."
Geode looked back to her, his pupils extremely small. "I know, but... he's still Sombra!" He whispered.
Maud pushed him a little harder. "But still. Be nice."
As the two reached Sombra, the gray unicorn smiled down at them, his green eyes twinkling in the sunlight.
"Hello, there. What's your name?" He asked as Maud looked him in the eye.
"I am Maud Pie. It's nice to meet you," she said as the two shook hooves. Maud then looked down to Geode, who was now sitting on the ground, his eyes closed with fear.
"Come on. He's fine." Maud whispered as Geode gulped and stood up. His legs shook as he held a hoof out.
"Uh..."
Sombra's look turned into one of despair as he saw the frightened unicorn. "Oh... I must have really scarred ponies, didn't I?" He asked himself as he looked to Geode. "I'm sorry for anything I... well... my magic consumed self did to you in the past. I had no consciousness. The dark magic was doing the tyrannical business itself. I just happened to be the victim of its rule."
He held a hoof out for Geode. After a moment's hesitation, Geode shook it.
"I'm... Crystal Geode. It's nice to meet you."
A loud gasp was heard to the side. Maud looked to see Pinkie's lips turning into one of a smile. "You're Crystal Geode?!"
Geode looked at her and nodded. "Y-yeah-"
He was cut off when a pink blur wrapped him in the tightest hug he's ever experienced. "Ohmygosh! Hi, I'm Pinkie, Maud's sister! Maud has told me all about you in her letters, future brother!" She wrapped him even tighter, if that was even possible, and continued. "Oh, I'm so excited to finally meet you!" She then ended her hug and held his face close to hers. "The way Maud has described you has made me so eager to meet you! From what Maud says, you seem like one of the most amazing stallions ever!"
Geode's face turned crimson. "R-really?"
Pinkie nodded, letting go of his face. "Yepperdooni!"
Geode smiled at her before Rarity stepped a little closer.
"Are you the lucky stallion that Pinkie's been telling us about? The coltfriend of Maud Pie?"
Geode nodded. "You got that right."
Rarity smiled. "Well, you're one lucky stallion. Maud is one of the most pleasant mares I've ever met." She held out a hoof for him. "My name is Rarity. It's a pleasure to meet you, darling."
Applejack walked over as well. "It sure is! Especially when you're a future member of the family!"
Geode raised an eyebrow. "Are you a relative of Maud's?" He asked Applejack.
Applejack thought for a moment. "Well... maybe. We might be very distantly related, but we can't tell for sure."
Geode nodded. "Interesting. How did you figure that out?"
Applejack gestured to Twilight. "Twilight, of course!"
Twilight responded with a wave.
Princess Celestia looked at everypony before smiling. "Say, let's have a nice dinner with Sombra. It's been a long time since he's had a good dinner," Celestia suggested as everypony nodded. Maud walked over to the group.
"I guess that's our cue to leave. Bye, everypony."
Pinkie ran over and hugged her sister. "Bye, Maud! Take good care of Geode!" She said before letting go and following the group. "Be sure to write to me!"
Maud nodded. "I will!" She replied.
As they watched the group walk towards the castle, Geode looked down to Maud.
"You have some very nice friends, Maud. Your sister is also quite nice."
Maud nodded, a smile crawling up her face. "Yep. That's Pinkie Pie. You'll get used to her tight hugs soon, by the way."
Geode chuckled. "Well, alright." The two started walking towards Geode's home. "Hey, Maud?"
"Yes?" Maud replied as Geode looked down to her.
"For what it's worth, this date was... quite fun, to be honest."
Maud's eyes widened. "R-really?"
Geode nodded. "Yeah. Even though we left our rocks with our suits in the helicopter, we could probably get them later. It was a very nice time in the mines. Thank you for today," he said as he gave Maud a brief kiss on the cheek.
"No problem. I'm happy you enjoyed it," Maud replied, her smile growing a bit larger.