Chapter 7
Twilight heads back to the main room being mindful of the skeletons. She ignores the weapons and armor her ears folded against her head as she tries not to cry from these people's terrible fate. Whatever it may be.
"Princess are you Alright?" Shield asks walking next to her.
"I'm fine Lieutenant Shield" Twilight says with a forced smile.
Shield nods in response clearly not convinced but heads through the cut in the other doorway. Twilight follows behind and from what Twilight can tell it's the same thickness as the last major doorway.
She slowly walks into the already illuminated room which simply leads to a hallway which slopes down. Following Lieutenant Shield she slowly makes her way down the barren hallway.
There's several of the dim illumination crystals all along the hallway but besides that there's nothing but the metal walls. After several minutes they reach the end of the slope and enter a large rectangular room. Directly in front of them is another massive door being cut through and on each side of the room are two smaller doors which appear to have a field protecting them.
Twilight approaches one of the smaller doors being roughly one meter wide and two meters tall and she begins to probe the field with her magic trying to find whatever caused it.
As her magic touches the field she gets a massive feed back cutting off the spell and giving her horn a shock. "Ouch!" She yelps stepping back slightly and shaking her head to remove the dizziness.
"Princess, what's wrong" Shield says standing next to her once more followed closely by Arrow.
"I.. it's nothing. I was trying to find the source for the field covering the smaller doors. But when my magic made contact I was given major feedback" Twilight says with a hint of embarrassment.
"Is that all?" Shield asks concerned.
"Yes" Twilight says nodding before looking at the strange field again. She lights up her horn to use a sensory spell and tries to find any other details in the walls which may explain what the field is.
Instead she finds that the walls are preventing her from sensing anything. As if there blocking her magic.
"Tombs. I think I just discovered something" Twilight says calling out to Tombs.
Tombs looks over to Twilight from his position near the machine "And what's that Princess?"
"These walls are preventing me from using my magic on or through them. It's as if they're resistant to Magic or even block it entirely" Twilight says as she makes her way over to Tombs.
"Really? Never noticed that before" Tombs says as he lights up his own horn. And after a few moments he nods to himself "Seems that you're right princess. I can't even touch the walls with my magic. Looks like we'll have to hire an expert on this kind of thing" Tombs says with remorse.
"Why would you need an expert? And an expert of what exactly" Twilight asks
"An expert on metallurgy as well as an expert in fields of anti magic. Preferably not someone from Canterlot" Tombs says as he begins to walk away back towards the almost cut doorway.
Thinking over his words Twilight looks over to her two escorts both of whom are watching the machines progress. "Lieutenant. What do you think of all of this?"
Shield looks over at Twilight with a neutral look before replying "I'm not one to share my thoughts unless they involve my job your highness"
Sighing before responding "Lieutenant, I know you like to remain at a formal level, but I don't like that all the time. And I would like it if we could have more than just a Guard and Princess relationship"
Arrow looks at Twilight with a bemused expression before Shield sighs deeply. "And I prefer the Guard and Princess relationship. But so be it your highness" Shield says before giving Twilight a hard look "I think we are doing something incredibly dangerous. We have no idea what occurred here. No idea if those people are still alive. And no idea what is in this place. And to top it off. We are cutting holes into doors that were clearly made to remain shut"
Twilight folds her ears against her head and looks down feeling guilty "When you put it like that I guess you're right"
Twilight hears Shield sigh deeply "I'm not berating you Princess. I'm just telling you how I feel. Like you asked"
"Um, Lieutenant. I think that the Princess gets it" Arrow says cautiously.
"You're not required to think Private. Now go and get Sergeant Taffy" Shield says her voice filled with authority. And without a word Arrow trots out back to the entrance to get t
Sargent Taffy.
"Princess. They've cut through the door" Shield says as she begins to walk away.
Twilight slowly looks up and sighs unsure on how to feel about the harsh Lieutenant. Deciding to simply follow Shield into the next room and put aside the thoughts of the guard tell later.
As she walks through the entrance, Tombs, Strong Hoof, Silent and Shield are all standing in the radius of the an illumination crystal. Looking about at the massive room. It's so large that they can't even see the ceiling.
"Gods. This place is massive" Tombs says echoing Twilight's thoughts. "We are going to way more illumination crystals to even explore this place.
"Professor. I think we should hold up for a bit. We've been in here for a few hours now and a break is needed" Strong says his voice filled with concern.
"I agree with the Security Officer. This room appears too large and until we've learned more about this place from the previous rooms we shouldn't continue" Shield says with little emotion as normal for her.
"Alright, alright. I was going to suggest the same thing you two" Tombs says before turning around and heading back out followed by the rest of his team.
As Twilight leaves she looks back to see Shield looking into the darkness. A look of concern on her face. When she notices Twilight staring her expression hardens and she begins to walk out.
Twilight turns and moves so Shield doesn't collide with her and she notices Arrow and Taffy standing in the room once more.
"You two. Set up a barrier crystal and guard this entrance. No one is to come in. And if you hear or see anything. Report it. Understand?" Shield says with authority once more as she steps out of the massive chamber.
"Yes Lieutenant" Both Taffy and Arrow respond with practised ease.
Tombs and the others are already heading up the ramp and Twilight follows them wanting to speak to Shield about how she treats those in her command. But knowing that a conversation like that will not go well.
Twilight looks back to see Shield following her at a respectable distance as she makes her way up the ramp. From this angle she can make out that it's actually quite high. It makes her wonder just why it goes so deep below the surface if its already underground.
After some time the group including Spike but minus all of Twilight's Escorts besides Shield. Make it to the main area within the Cathedral to regroup and re-evaluate the situation.
"Welcome back guys!" An excited Lyra says as the emerges from the hole. "Found anything cool?"
"Yup. Broke through the door with the new drill and found that things are more confusing than we thought" Tombs replies with a large grin.
The rest of the Excavation crew crowd around Tombs and the others and they begin to exchange words faster than Twilight can keep up with.
She smiles knowing that this is a huge discovery and will make all of them extremely famous for centuries to come. Suddenly a claw taps her shoulder causing her to look at Spike.
"Yes Spike?" Twilight asks.
"Lieutenant Shield has been trying to talk to you but you zoned out there for a moment" The little dragon responds with a shrug.
Blushing Twilight turns to Shield "Sorry about that, what did you need?"
"I would like to request additional Guards Princess. Not for your escort but for the site and excavation team. I can't spread out your escort to keep the others safe" Shield says seriously.
"Oh. I guess that makes sense. Did you ask Tombs?" Twilight asks not wanting to step on the professors hooves.
"We spoke earlier and he agreed" Shield replies.
"Alright then. We can go and ask Shining" Twilight says as she begins to trot out. She wanted to talk to her brother anyways and Spike could use a good break and lunch.
"Very well" Shield replies following behind Twilight.
"So Spike. What do you think?" Twilight asks the little dragon.
"Of the structures? Or the Guards? He replies.
"Either or"
"Well. I think Sergeant Knight is a pretty cool stallion. He's pretty funny and laid back and Star Chaser is fun. She kept on pulling little pranks on Knight and telling jokes. I'm pretty sure she did it cause I was there. Otherwise it would have been boring" Spike says.
"That's good"
"Speaking of this stuff Twi. What was that loud bang inside the structure?" Spike asks some worry in his tone.
"Oh. That was an accident. We found a strange object and so Tombs pressed one of the levers and it turned out to be some kind of weapon. No idea how it works but nopony was hurt, thanks to Shield"
"Oh. That's good. It was pretty loud you know"
"Yea. And pretty scary" Twilight says with a light chuckle. "Anyways we're going to speak to Shining if you want you can get a late lunch" Twilight says looking back at Spike “And i heard Shining got you some Sapphires”
Spike's eyes light up all of the concern on his face gone “Really?!”
“Yup, I’ll drop you off at the Kitchen if you want. Ask Chief Honey Puff for Lunch”
“Awesome!” He says excitedly as Twilight faces forward chuckling.
After a few minutes the three of them emerge from the Cathedral into the streets of the Crystal Empire, the Crystal Palace is easily seen over the rooftops, its spires glittering in the afternoon sun. Twilight begins to head out onto the streets watching as the crowds of Crystal ponies go on there way.
Twilight maneuvers her way through the crowd as Shield walks next to her, but she can’t help but feel that somepony is watching her. Glancing about she can’t see anypony directly spying on her and just as she begins to look the feeling vanishes. Passing it off as her being a little jumpy she continues on her way.
Within a few minutes and avoiding some news ponies she makes it to the palace without incident. Walking past the palace guard she makes her way to the kitchen. “Alright Spike, we’re here. Be good now and don’t eat too much” Twilight says to him with a smile “I’ll pick you up in a bit ok?”
“Yea Twi, Be good” Spike says his mouth already watering.
Chuckling Twilight heads to the throne room to see her brother in hopes of getting some more answers and requesting those extra guard ponies.
After a few moments Twilight and Shield walk into the throne room just as several nobles with cold expressions head out. The leader of the group gives her a dirty look before the doors close behind them.
"Shining... what was that all about?" Twilight asks as she turns to her brother, whom looks as if he's had a very stressful day.
"The seventh group of nobles who came in telling me they wouldn't accept me as their prince" he sighs deeply "And the second which opposes Cadences rule as well"
"Can they even do that?" Twilight asks concerned.
"They can always revolt. We are close enough to the Griffin Empire that they could hire mercenaries" Shining says sighing deeply.
"Well. Hopefully Cadence gets back soon" Twilight says hopefully.
"That's the worst part. Cadence is going from the Griffin Empire to the Minous Republic!" Shining shouts as she grips his forehead in his hooves "So she won't be back for a few weeks"
"Oh. Well. Why don't you send a message to the Princesses?" Twilight asks.
"I have. And I'll be sending another one as well as requesting for some more guards" He replies.
"Why more guards?" Shield suddenly asks "isn't there enough to handle a small revolt?"
Shining only sighs "Yes. But not enough to patrol and guard key positions"
"Um.. speaking of guarding.... it's one of the reasons we came. I would like to have some more guards to guard the crew themselves. Since my escort had to today" Twilight says tentatively.
"Yea. I was planning on that after one of the groups mentioned you. And that somepony leaked some images of you in front of the structures" Shining says sighing once more.
"I'll have them sent later tonight twenty or so should do. Plus ten to guard the Cathedral itself" He says before standing. "Anything else Twily?"
"Yes actually. But it's kinda private" Twilight says giving Shield a sorry look.
"I understand Princess. I'll wait outside" Shield says with a bow before walking out. As doors shut once more Twilight let's out a breath she didn't know she kept in.
"Let me guess. It's about Lieutenant Shield?" Shining asks
"Yes. I just can't wrap my head around her" Twilight responds before sitting down sighing head hanging.
"Little sis has a crush after the first day?"
"Yea. WAIT NO!" Twilight suddenly shouts standing up her cheeks red with embarrassment. "I wanted a serious talk and you say that!"
"Jeez Twilight calm down. I'm just poking fun after a very rough day. Now tell me what's wrong" Shining says with good humor.
After several deep breaths to regain her composure "Why is Shield so harsh and..." She pauses unsure of the right word.
"Strung up?" Shining asks
"I guess that works"
"Well. It's because she comes from a family of military officers. And she was always expected to do the best. That's what it comes down to. Don't take it personal Twi. She's just doing her job"
"I guess. It's just so wrong, I never asked to be royalty. Sure it's every fillies dream but. I never really wanted it. And she'll never call me by my name. Just your highness this or princess that"
"You'll get use to it Twi. Just treat her and your other escorts well. And you'll have no problems" Shining says as he puts a comforting hoof on her shoulder.
"Alright Shining. And thanks for the chat. I better go and rescue the Chiefs from Spike now" She says with a light chuckle before hugging Shining.
Breaking the hug the two of them head separate ways. Shining to find a courier and Twilight out the doors to get Spike. Walking into the hallway Shield is standing off to the side with her eyes closed seemingly deep in thought.
Twilight decides to slowly approach her and as she reach a meter or so away Shields eyes flare open.
"Where to now Princess" Shield says with her normal neutral voice.
"Off to get Spike and then to my room for the rest of night" Twilight responds with a hint of sadness.
"Very well" Shield replies.
The two head over to the kitchens where they find a clearly well fed Spike and a extremely happy chief who's cleaning multiple pans and pots. The chief doesn't even notice Twilight and Shield take the stuffed dragon out of the room.
They then make there way to Twilight's chamber. Twilight heads into the room and places Spike in bed before she takes a seat at her desk to begin some studying and research on anything related to massive underground structures.
After her candle stick is nearly depleted Twilight feels a hoof nudge her causing her to jump slightly.
"Sorry Princess. But you missed dinner and it's an hour before midnight. So I brought you something small to eat" Shield says levitating a tray with a sandwich on it.
"Oh. Um thank you" Twilight says smiling
"It's tomatoes and lettuce. I hope that's alright" Shield says as she levitates the tray onto the only open space on the desk. "Enjoy" She says before exiting the room and leaving Twilight once more alone.
"It's really nice of her to get me a sandwich" Twilight comments to herself "but I hate tomatoes" She sighs before picking out the offending topping and eating the sandwich.
Once she finishes she begins to take up her studies once more replacing her candle with a new one.
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6600464
Oh... Welp that's pretty bad... Since I'm editing alot of the previous chapters anyways I'll go back and fix that.
Thanks for pointing it out.
6603007
Thanks again.