> Discord Wars Episode I: A Hidden Threat
>  by Violet Runner
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Star Swirl lead a group of younglings through the halls of the refurbished Temple of the Crystal Knights telling them about it's history.

"Master?" A young Drake said stopping in frount of a large statue.

"Yes young one?" Star Swirl asked turning to face him.

"I was woundering if you could tell us about this statue?" The young Drake asked.

"Hmm." The elder unicorn said looking up at the statue. "Ah!" He said recognizing who it was. "This is a statue of one of my most dear friends. His name was Slithodyas. This statue was erected in his memory after he gave his life to save Equestria." Star Swirl explained. "Would you like to here the story?"

"Yes please!" The younglings said in unison.

"Alright," The Crystal Knight Master laughed. "This is a story of love and loss, trial and betrayal, and the forming of new friendships. This is the story of the Discord Wars."
> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A small airship flew towards a beautiful green island country in the distance surrounded by hundreds of gigantic air and battle ships. In the cockpit of the small airship, the captain and pilot manoeuvred closer to one of the larger ones.

"Captain." A cloaked figure said as she turned to face him.

"Yes, sir?" The captain asked.

"Tell them we wish to board at once." The cloaked figure ordered.

"Of course , sir." she said as she pressed a couple of buttons before looking to a view screen, where a brown and white griffin waited for a reply. "With all due respect for the Trade Federation, the Ambassadors for the Princesses of Equestria wish to board immediately."

"Ah. Yes, yes, of course... as you know, our blockade is perfectly legal, and we'd be happy to receive the Ambassadors." The griffin said before terminating the transmission. 

The small airship docked alongside a lower part of the Federation Airship. A tube was then extend and attached to a hatch on the side of the smaller airship. Two cloaked ponies then made their way into the larger Airship and were greeted by a silver crystal powered droid.

"I'm PC-14 at your service. This way, please." The earth pony like automaton said as they moved off down the hallway.

The door to a conference room slid open, and the two ponies were led inside by PC-14.

"I hope you honoured sirs are most comfortable here. My master will be with you shortly." PC-14  said before bowing and backing out of the room as the door closed.

The two ponies lowered their hoods to revile they were unicorns. The first was blueish grey with curly white hair and a matching tail and beard. The other was a young mare with an off white coat and two toned green mane.

"I have a bad feeling about this, Star Swirl." The young mare said as they walked over to a large window to observe the lush country side.

"I don't sense anything." The older unicorn said shrugging.

"It's not about the mission, Master. It's something... elsewhere. Elusive." She said shivering a bit. 

"Don't centre on your anxieties, Clover. Keep your concentration on the here and now, where it belongs." Star Swirl said as he turned to see if the viceroy had arrived yet. 

"But Master Zoda says I should be mindful of the future." Clover said looking up at her master.

"But not at the expense of the moment. Be mindful of the living harmony, my young apprentice." Star Swirl reminded her.

"Yes, Master." She said hanging her head a bit. "So, how do you think this Griffin Viceroy will deal with the princess's demands?" She asked, changing the subject as they moved over to the table to take a seat. 

"These Trade Federation types are cowards. The negotiations will be short." The older unicorn said.





Meanwhile PC-14 went to the bridge to inform her master that the ambassadors had arrived.

"What?!? What did you say?" The griffin Viceroy said shaken. 

"The Ambassadors are Crystal Knights, I believe." The crystal automaton repeated. 

"I knew it! They're here to force a settlement." A brown earth pony said a bit scared.

"Distract them. I will contact the Siren." The Viceroy ordered. 

"Are you brain dead? I'm not going in there with two Knights! Send the droid." The earth pony said turning to face PC-14.





Back in the conference room Star Swirl and Clover were starting to get a little inpatient. 

"Is it in their nature to make us wait this long?" Clover asked as the door to the conference room slid open and PC-14 entered with a tray of drinks and food.

"No... I sense an unusual amount of fear for something as trivial as this trade dispute." Star Swirl said a little annoyed as PC-14 walked over to Clover who took a drink, before walking over to Star Swirl, also taking a drink.





The Griffin Viceroy and the brown earth pony, as well as another griffin stood before a Crystal Hologram of a robed figure whose face was obscured by a hood.

"What is it?" The hooded figure asked with a female voice.

"This scheme of yours has failed, Siren. The blockade is finished! We dare not go against the Knights." The brown earth pony said cowering a bit.

"Viceroy, I don't want this stunted slim in my sight again." The figure said as the pony bowed his head in shame before turning and walking away. "This turn of events is unfortunate. We must accelerate our plans. Begin landing your troops."

"Is that... legal?" The Griffin Viceroy asked.

"I will make it legal." The figure said matter of factly.

"And the... Knights?" He asked

"The Princess should never have brought them into this. Kill them, immediately." The figure ordered.

"Yes... yes, as you wish." The Griffin Viceroy said bowing as the hologram faded.





In the cockpit of the knight's airship, the pilot looked up to see a gun turret swing around and point directly at the ship.

"Captain?! Look!!" The pilot exclaimed as the captain looked up just seconds before they were detached from the larger airship and shot down in a ball of fire.





Hearing the explosion Star Swirl and Clover leaped to a standing position as the crystal bracelets on their wrists grew into crystal blades that covered their entire hoof.

"... Sorry." The droid said jumping back, started and spilling the drinks on the tray.

"Dioxin!" Star Swirl said as the faint hissing sound of gas began to fill the room.

They then turned their blades back into bracelets and quickly cast a breathing spell.
> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A hologram of the griffin Viceroy, appeared in front of a group of griffin shaped crystal battle droids outside the conference room.

"They should be dead by now. Destroy, what's left of them." The hologram said before disappearing as a one of the battle droids, cautiously opened the door.

A deadly green cloud billowed from the room and the battle droids held there crystal weapons at the ready as a figure stumbled out of the smoke. PC-14 , carrying the tray of drinks.

"Oh, excuse me." PC-14 said walking past them, carrying a tray of drinks.

"Check it out Corporal. We'll cover you." The lead battle droid said looking over at another one.

"Roger, roger." The other droid said taking a step forward as two crystal swords suddenly flew out of the deadly fog.

"Uh-oh!" The lead battle droid said as the two Knights started cutting them down.

The droids tried to fire magic bolts from their crystal weapons at them but they were deflected back when they made contact with the Knights Crystal Sabers.





"What is going on down there?" The Viceroy asked as the large viewing crystal he was watching the battle from went dark and alarms started blaring.

"We've lost the transmission, sir." A pink pegasus said looking a control panel. 

"Have you ever encountered a Crystal Knight before, sir?" A black griffin asked walking over to the Viceroy.

"Well, no, but, uh... Seal off the bridge!" The Viceroy said panicking a bit.

"That won't be enough, sir." The black griffin said as the bridge began to close.

"I want unicorn droids up here at once!!!" He ordered as more battle droids moved to guard the bridge door.

"We will not survive this." The black griffin said as the door to the bridge slammed shut.





Meanwhile Star Swirl and Clover had made their way through the hallways cutting down several battle droids in half, creating a shower of sparks and metal parts as they finally arrived at the bridge door. Seeing more droids coming, Clover ignited her horn sending them crashing into a wall while Star Swirl went to the bridge door and started to cut through it.

The airships crew start to get very nervous as they watch the Knights on the viewing crystal.

"This is impossible!!" The griffin Viceroy exclaimed seeing Star Swirls blade cuts through the door like a hot knife through butter.

"Where are those Unicorn Droids?!" The black griffin asked looking over at the pink pegasus.

Star Swirl was halfway done cutting a hole in the door when two unicorn shaped droids ran down the hallway at full speed, stopping just before get to the bridge area.

"Master, destroyers!" Clover said knowing she wouldn't be able to handle them alone.

Star Swirl pulled his Crystal Saber out of the door and turned to fight off the destroyer droids with Clover as the droids start to shoot bolts of magic out of their horns, and an invisible shield surrounded them.

"They have shield crystals!" The older unicon remarked as he deflected a bolt back at them and it dispersed a long one of their shields revealing it. "It's a standoff! Let's go!" He said deflecting a bolt into a power outlet casing sparks to fly.

The two Knights retracted their blades as they ran down the hallway as the two droids followed them continuing to shoot at them.





"They're no match for unicorn droids." The black griffin said as they watched the the two droids chase the Knights around a corner on the viewing crystal.

"Sir, they've gone up a maintenance shaft." The pink pegasus reported knowing the droids wouldn't be able to follow them nor could they track them.





Star Swirl and Clover exited the maintenance shaft into a large hangar bay. Quickly hiding behind a large stack of crates, they watched as hundreds of battle droids were loaded onto landing craft.

"Battle droids?" Star Swirl said confused at the large number of them.

"It's an invasion army." Clover said shocked.

"This is an odd play for the Trade Federation." The older unicorn noted as a battle droid passed by. "We've got to warn the Neighboo and contact The princesses. Let's split up. Stow aboard separate landing craft and meet down on the island."

"You were right about one thing, Master. The negotiations were short." Clover said before they split up.





Meanwhile back on the bridge the Griffin Viceroy was making final preparations for the invasion.  

"Sir, a transmission from the island." The pink pegasus reported as the viewing crystal displayed a young dark red earth pony wearing a golden crown with different coloured jewels. 

"It's King Emissarius himself." The black griffin noted.

"At last we're getting results." The griffin Viceroy said walking over to the viewing crystal. "Again you come before us, your highness."

"You will not be pleased when you hear what I have to say, Viceroy ... Your trade boycott of our country has ended." The young king said.

"I was not aware of such a failure." The Viceroy said confused.

"I'm aware that the Princess's Ambassadors are with you now, and that you have been commanded to reach a settlement." Emissarius explained.

"I know nothing of any Ambassadors." He lied "...you must be mistaken."

Surprised at his reaction, the King studied him carefully before responding.

"Beware, Viceroy....the Federation has gone too far this time."

"We would never do anything without the approval of the Equestrian Senate. You assume too much." The brown and white griffin said in a reassuring tone. 

"We will see." Neighboo's King said terminating the transmission, and the viewing crystal went black.

"He's right." The black griffin said walking up to the Viceroy. "The Senate will never..."

"It's too late now!" The griffin Viceroy said interrupting his comrade.

"Do you think he suspects an attack?" The other griffin asked with a sigh.

"I don't know, but we must move quickly to disrupt all communications down there." The Viceroy said turning to lookout the large window at the island country below.
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	King Emissarius as well as his trusted advisers and members of his court sat in his throne room looking at a hologram of a slightly off yellow earth pony with an orange mane and tail with a yellow strip in it.

"...The negotiations haven't started because the Ambassadors aren't there? How could that be true?" The holographic mare asked confused. "I have assurances from Celestia... her Ambassadors did arrive. It must be the... get... negotiate..."

"Ambassador Adagio?!?" Emissarius said as the hologram started to sputtered before fading away. "What's happening?" he asked looking over at the Captain of his royal guard, Strong Sword.

"Check the transmission crystals..." A dark brown earth pony, wearing red armor said to one of his subordinates.

"A communications disruption can only mean one thing. Invasion." One of the kings advisers, an old dark green earth pony, said looking over at his king.

"The Federation would not dare go that far!" King Emissarius said shocked at the prospect.

"The Princesses would revoke their trade franchise, and they'd be finished." Strong Sword explained.

"We must continue to rely on negotiation." The King said sighing a bit.

"Negotiation?" The old pony said questioningly. "We've lost all communications! ... and where are the Princess's Ambassadors?"

"This is a dangerous situation, Your Highness." The brown earth pony said, hanging his head as he realized that the old pony was right. "Our small Royal Guard and security volunteers will be no match against a battle-hardened Federation army."

"I will not condone a course of action that will lead us to war." Emissarius said sternly.
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Hundreds of landing craft were launched from their respective air and sea battleships and began fly and move in formation toward the island. One by one, the Federation ships land on the beach at the entrance to a dense forest. Troop transports emerge from the landing craft as a half dozen griffin battle droids flew by.

A command droid was overseeing the unloading of the troops when a small crystal it was carrying started to glow.

"Yes, Viceroy?" The droid said as a small hologram of the Griffin Viceroy appeared.

"Captain, we've searched the ship and there is no trace of the Knights. They may have got on onto one of your landing craft." The Viceroy reported.

"If they are down here, sir, we'll find them." The griffin shaped battle droid reassured.

"Use caution. These Knights are not to be underestimated." The Griffin warned before fading.





Star Swirl ran through the forest glancing back to see monstrous troop transports, emerging from the mist as animals began to run past him in a panic. As one of the transports was about to crush him he suddenly tripped and fell into a small ravine. Picking himself up he stood and watched as the war machine turned and continued on it's way, disappearing into the mist. Satisfied that he wasn't being followed the elder unicorn started walking again to regroup with Clover.

Following the ravine he soon found himself in a small clearing by a cliff. In the distance, two Griffin droids burst out of the mist, flying at high speed, chasing Clover.

"Get back!" Star Swirl said too his apprentice as she ran past him and he activated his Crystal Sabre.

The two troops fired magic bolts at them which Star Swirl quickly deflected back at them and the two droids exploded, colliding into the side of the cliff.

"Thanks." Clover said exhausted, trying to catch her breath.

"Your welcome. Now let's go, before more of those droids show up." Her master said as they began walking north.

"Right." Clover said following him. "By the way, I managed to find find a city while I was looking for you."

"A city!?" The blueish grey unicorn said astonished.

"Yeah. It's a hidden city built into the side of a large ravine." She explained. "I was actualy going to investigate it when those droids showed up."

"All right lead the way." Star Swirl said nodding.





After about five minutes of walking the two unicorns had finally reached the ravine.

"Here we are." Clove said looking over the edge of the ravine.

"That's a city alright. A bit primitive but a city. Now how do we get down?" Star Swirl said looking around for a path or something.

"Hey You! Stop Right There!" A voice yelled at them.

"Huh?" The unicorn mare said looking up to see two stags running at them. She was about to activate her Crystal Sabre but Star Swirl put his hoof over hers, silently telling her not to.

"What business do you have in Hart City?" One of the Stags asked.

"We are trying to reach the Neighboo. We wish to enter your city to stock up on supplies and get directions." Star Swirl explained.

"I'm afraid we can't allow that." The other Stag said. "We have been given orders to not allow any out sides into the city." he said as a pulsating sound was heard in the distance.

"Do you hear that?" Star Swirl ask.

"Yeah." The first Stag said curiously. 

"That's the sound of a thousand terrible things heading this way..." The elder unicorn continued.

"If they spot us, they will crush us, grind us into little pieces, then blast us into oblivion!" Clover finished, trying to intimidate the two guards.

The two guards looked at each other, trying to deside if it was worth going against their orders, in order to avoid their city from being discovered.

"Ah. You're point is well met." The second Stag said as the two deer cam to the same conclusion.

"Follow us. We'll see what the bosses have to say about this." The first Stag said before leading them over to large hole, hidden by a bush with stairs leading down it.





The two Crystal Knights were lead through the city, many of the deer scatter and said some things in hushed tones, not used to seeing outsiders. As the Knights were lead into a large building, one of the stags ran a head to in form their leaders of their arrival. They were then lead into a room with a long circular judge's bench where a group of elder looking deer sat. One of the guards signalled for the ponies to stand on a small platform facing the oldest of the deer who had large impresive antlers sat on a cushion higher than the others.

"You should not be here. The army of mechanical beings up there, is with you we saw!" The elder dear said, informing the two unicorns that they know that they arrived with droid army.

"That army is about to attack the Neighboo. We are trying to warn them." Star Swirl said trying to convince the deer to help them.

"We don't like the Neighboo! They think they're so smart. They think they're better then everyone else." The deer said getting a little angry.

"Once those droids take control of the island, they will take control of you." Clover explained stepping forward.

"I don't think so. They do not know of our city." He said proudly.

"You and the Neighboo form a symbiont circle. What happens to one of you will affect the other. You must understand this!" Clover said trying to reason with him. 

"We no care about the Neighboo!" The old dear said angrily. 

"Then send us on our way." Star Swirl said flaring up his horn a little.

"We going to send you on your away." The old unicorn said in an almost trance like state.

"We could use a transport." The elder unicorn said.

"You can use a Corbita. The quickest way to the Neighboo is sailing down the Gakaabikaa River. Now go." The deer explained before dismissing them.

"Thank you for your help. We leave in peace." Star Swirl said bowing, before he and Clover turned to leave.

"Master, what's a Corbita?" Clover asked.

"A boat of some kind, I hope." He said as they exited the building. 
> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A medium sized sailing ship launched away from the docks at the lower part of Hart City along the river and swiftly made it's way down the river as it's sails caught the wind, leaving the Deer settlement  behind.

"How long do you think it will take for us to reach the capital?" Clover asked, helping her master with the rigging.

"Well if the wind and current keep up we should reach it by midday." Star Swirl answered, using his magic to steer the ship out of the way of some rocks.





The griffin Viceroy and his assistant where in the bridge of the command airship standing before a hologram of the Siren.

"The invasion is on schedule." The Viceroy reported  bowing slightly.

"I have the Senate bogged down in procedures. They will have no choice but to accept your control of the kingdom." The Siren informed them.

"The King has great faith the Equestrian Senate will side with him." The brown and white griffin said nervously. 

"King Emissarius is young and naive. You will find controlling him will not be difficult." The hooded figure said reassuringly.

"Yes, of course." He said as the hologram faded away.

"You didn't tell her about the missing Crystal Knights?" The black griffin questioned as they began walking out of the bridge.

"No need to report that to her, until we have something to report." The griffin Viceroy said with a smirk, knowing that they would be in trouble if the siren knew about it.





"Now which way?" Clover asked as they slowly began to approach a fork in the river.

"That's up to you." Star Swirl said moving away from the steering wheel. "Now is the perfect time for some training. Trust in your abilities and the flow of harmony in the universe and let it guide you to the right decision."

"Right." Clover said looking around. She then sat down and took a deep breath before igniting her horn. "Left." She said opening her eyes after a minute. "We need to go left."

"Very good." Star Swirl said turning the ship in that direction, already knowing that was the way they had to go.





Meanwhile the droid army moved down the main road leading to, Cavallo, the capital of Neighboo. As the King watched helplessly from a window in his palace, the army entered his city and a transport carrying the Viceroy and his assistant landed in the main plaza.

"Viceroy, we have captured the king." A griffin shaped battle droid said walking over to them as the exited the transport.

"Ah, victory!" The griffin Viceroy said happily as he began walking towards the palace. 





There was only one word to describe the city as the two Crystal Knights sailed into it. Paradise. The many homes and building along the river had an array of window gardens which held different types of vibrant flowers. Many tropical birds flew by as a warm breeze filled their sails. The beautiful blue water shimmered as the sailing ship moved over to one of the docks along the river.

"This is lovely." Clover noted, looking around at the scenery while Star Swirl stood up and looked see if the coast was clear.





King Emissarius as well as his advisers, Captain Strong Sword and four guards were surrounded by ten droids as they were lead down stairs to the main floor of the palace along with the griffin Viceroy.

"How will you explain this invasion to the Equestrian Senate?" One of the kings advisers asked.

"The King and I will sign a treaty that will legitimize our occupation here. I have assurances it will be ratified by the Senate.

"I will not co-operate." Emissarius said in a monotone voice not even looking at the Viceroy.

"Now, now, your Highness. In time, the suffering of your people will persuade you to see our point of view." The griffin said as they reached the bottom of the stairs. "Commander?"

"Yes, sir!" A command droid said stepping forward.

"Process them." The Viceroy commanded before waking away.

"Captain, take them to Camp Four." The command droid said turning to a lower ranking droid.

"Roger, roger." The other droid said as it began to lead the the ponies out of the palace.





Star Swirl and Clover watch from a balcony as the group of droids leading the king and co. turn into a side street. Seeing there chance, the two unicorns drop down from the balcony, activating their crystal sabres and began cutting down the battle droids. Hear the commotion more droids moved forward but were also cut down by the Knights' crystal blades. A few of them started to run but were slammed into a wall by Clover.

"We should leave the streets, your highness." Star Swirls said deactivating his blade, leading Emissarius and his advisers walked into an alleyway.

"Get their weapons." Strong Sword said to the guards, picking up on of the droids crystal weapons before following his king. 

"We're the Ambassadors, for princess Celestia." Star Swirl explained once they were out of view of the street. 

"Your negotiations seem to have failed, Ambassador." The kings eldest adviser stated.

"The negotiations never took place." The old unicorn explained. "It's urgent that we make contact with the Crystal Empire.

"They've knocked out all our communications." Captain Strong Sword explained, stepping forward.

"Do you have transports?" Star Swirl asked after a moment.

"In the main hanger. This way." The captain of the guard said leading the way, as the alarms sounded.
> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The group hurried down the back allies lead by the two Knights. They were about to exit the ally and cross the street to the main hanger when they spotted four griffin droids pointing their crystal weapons at a Deer who was huddled in the middle of the street.

"Master." Clover said worriedly.

"I know, Clover." Star Swirl said looking out at the street. "Captain, take the king across to the hanger. We'll deal with the droids." He said turning to Strong Sword.

"Right." The dark brown earth pony said as they exited the ally way.

"Please don't kill me!" The Deer said as the droids prepared to shoot him.

"Excuse." The elder unicorn said tapping the shoulder of one of the droids.

"Huh?" The griffin shaped droid said tuning around before being cut in half by Star Swirls Crystal Sabre.

"Uh oh." On of the other droids said as they began firing at the two unicorns before quickly being cut down.

"Are you alright? Clover asked well Star Swirl looked around to make sure there weren't any more droids. 

"Ya thanks. I'm Wa waush ka' ehe by the way." The Deer said standing up.

"Nice to meet you I'm Clover." She said introducing herself.

"I guess he'll have to come with us." Star Swirl said sighing. "Now come on we have to get the King to safety."

The two Knights and the deer quickly made their way over to the main hanger where the others where waiting.

"There are too many of them." Captain Strong Sword said cracking open a side door to the hanger and seeing several aircraft guarded by about fifty battle droids.

"That won't be a problem." The older Unicorn said look into the hanger before turning to Emissarius. "Your Highness, under the circumstances, I suggest you come to the Crystal Empire with us."

"Thank you, Ambassador, but my place is here with my people." King Emissarius said turning down the offer.

"They'll kill you if you stay." Star Swirl warred. 

"They wouldn't dare!" the Kings Eldest Adviser exclaimed in shock.

"They need him to sign a treaty to make this invasion of theirs legal. They can't afford to kill him." Strong Sword explained.

"There's something else behind all this, your Highness. There is no logic in the Federation's move here. My feelings tell me they will destroy you." Star Swirl elaborated.

"Our only hope is for the Senate to side with us... Ambassador Adagio will need your help. I'll say here in your stead." The elder adviser stated, seeing Star Swirls point.

"Either choice presents great danger... to us all." Emissarius said looking at his young adviser, an equally red earth pony, and his royal guard.

"We are brave, Your Highness." The young adviser said.

"If you are to leave, Your Highness, it must be now." Clover said, while Star Swirl made sure they hadn't been heard.

"Then, I will plead our case to the Senate." The king said turning to his adviser. "Be careful."

"And you." He said as he left and the others walked into the hanger.

"We need to free those pilots." Strong Sword said, pointing to a group of earth ponies who were surrounded by griffin droids, as the group walked towards an airship.

"I'll deal with that." Clover stated as she began walking over to them.

"Halt." A battle droid standing guard over the airship commanded.

"I'm an Ambassador for the Princesses of Equestria, and I'm taking these people to the Crystal Empire." Star Swirl stated. 

"Where are you taking them?" The droid said, asking for clarification.

"To the Crystal Empire." He stated again.

"Crystal Empire!? Ahh, that doesn't compute. ...Ahh, wait!" The driod said remembering one of his orders. "Ahh, you're under arrest!"

The droid guards drew there weapons, but before any of them could fire, they were cut down by Star Swirls Crystal Sabre.

"Go!" Clover yelled at the pilots as she took out the droids guarding them as more droids ran over to stop her and Star Swirl.

The freed pilots as well as the other passengers quickly ran aboard the airship as Clover and Star Swirl covered them. Once everyone was on-board, the two unicorns ran in as it began to take off.





The airship took off and began making its way towards the sea and the Federation blockade.

“There's the blockade.” The Pilot said as the two Crystal Knights and Captain Strong Sword entered the cockpit.

“The shield Crystal's been hit!” The ships engineer said over a communication tube as the ship shook.

The large Federation airships continued to fire at the smaller airship as it got closer to them and freedom.

“The shields are gone!” The engineer reported as the airship shook again.  

Just when all hope of escape was lost the Neighbooian airship broke away from blockade and raced away to freedom.

“There's not enough power to get us to the Empire... the fuel line is leaking.” The engineer reported.

“We'll have to land somewhere to refuel and repair the ship.” Star Swirl said as Clover brought out a few charts and maps.

“Here, Master. Saddle Arabia... It's small and out of the way.” Clover said pointing to a small desert country on a map that had a bunch of trading posts marked on it. “The Griffin Trade Federation has no presence there.” She said noting that unlike other nearby trading posts it didn’t have their symbol next to it. 

“How can you be sure?” Strong Sword asked.

“It's controlled by the Sultans.” The elder unicorn said recognizing the symbol next to it.

“You can't take His Royal Highness there!” The dark brown earth pony exclaimed. “The Sultans are gangsters. If they discovered him...”

“...It would be no different than if we landed in a kingdom within the Federation...” Star Swirl said interrupting him. “Except the Sultans aren't looking for him, which gives us an advantage.”
> Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The Griffin Viceroy and his assistant sat at a conference table with a hologram of the Siren at one end.

"And King Emissarius, has he signed the treaty?" The Siren asked.

"I'm afraid he has disappeared. One Neighboo Airship got past the blockade." The Viceroy said hesitantly.

"I want that treaty signed." The clocked figure said angrily.  

"B-but it's impossible to locate the ship. It's out of our range." The brown and white griffin said cowering a bit. 

"Not for us..." she said as a figure appeared beside her. "This is my sister. Aria Blaze." Aria Blaze was a light purple Earth Pony with a purple mane with a green strip running through it put in two pigtails. "She will find your lost ship." the siren said before the hologram faded off.

"This is getting out of hand ... now there are two of them." The Griffin Viceroy said assessing the situation. 

"We should never have made this bargain." His assistant said agreeing.





Star Swirl, Clover and Captain Strong Sword stood before King Emissarius and his three advisers.

"What is it?" Emissarius asked looking up from some papers as Strong Sword looked nervously over at the two Knights.

"Your Highness," Star Swirl began, clearing his throat. "With your permission we're heading for a remote kingdom called Saddle Arabia to make necessary repairs. It is a kingdom far beyond the reach of the Griffin Trade Federation."

"I do not agree with the Crystal Knight on this." Strong Sword interjected. "That kingdom is far to dangerous."

"You must trust my judgement, Your Highness." The elder Unicorn said.

"If it is necessary then you have my permission to land." The king said after exchanging a look with his youngest adviser.





The king's young adviser walked into the mess hall and over to the coffee pot.

"Boozhoo." Wa-waush-ka'-ehe said walking up beside him and causing him to jump. "Sorry. Who are you?"

"I'm Puledro." The young adviser said introducing himself.

"Wa-waush-ka'-ehe Ndishnikaaz." The deer introduced himself in his language.

"You're a Hart, aren't you?" Puledro politely asked.

"Ah-huh." he said nodding his head.

"How did you end up here with us?" The young earth pony asked.

"I don't know... my day started purity okay with a healthy breakfast. I walked into the main city then boom.... these mechanical griffin tried to kill me, the two unicorns took them out and before I know it... pow! I'm here." Wa-waush-ka'-ehe explained.

Puledro chuckled a bit at his story telling skills.





The Neighboo Airship sped over the ocean towards the mainland. Clover, Star Swirl, and Captain Strong Sword watch over the pilot's shoulder as a the yellow sands of Saddle Arabia appear directly ahead.

"That's it. Saddle Arabia..." Clover said comparing the map to their current location. "There's a settlement not that far from here." She said pulling out a map of Saddle Arabia.

"Land near the outskirts. We don't want to attract any attention." Star Swirl said to the pilot as the settlement came into view.

The Neighboo Airship touched down in the desert in a swirl of dust about half a mile from the settlement. 





"How bad is it?" Star Swirl asked walking into the engine room where Clover had already started to make repares.

"The the fuel tank is cracked, and there are a few parts that are ok but are old and should be replaced before we leave. However non of that matters as the main crystal power generator's gone." Clover said lifting out a large crystal that had a large part of it blown off, with her magic.

"That'll complicate things." the elder unicorn said sighing. "Be weary...I sense a disturbance in the flow of harmony."

"I feel it as well." she agreed.

"Don't let them send any transmissions." Star Swirl said as he turned to leave.

"Of course master." The younger Unicorn said getting back to work.
> Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A ramp extended down from the airship as Star Swirl and Wa-waush-ka'-ehe exited it and started their trek across the desert toward the trading post.

"This sun is doing murder to my fur." The dear said already complaining about the heat.

"Wait!" Strong Sword yelled running to them, Puledro running beside him as Star Swirl stopped so they could catch up. "Wait. His Highness commands you to take his adviser with you." The dark brown earth pony said when he finally caught up with them.

"No more commands from His Highness today, Captain. This trading outpost is not going to be pleasant..." Star Swirl said looking at the young adviser.

"The King wishes it. He's curious about the country." Strong Sword said with a sigh, rewording what he just said.

"This is not a good idea but ok. Stay close to me." He said agreeing to take Puledro with them.





The little group walked down the main street of the outpost, passing dangerous looking citizens of all types. 

"Moisture farmers for the most part. Some indigenous tribes and scavengers." Star Swirl said looking around at the different types of beings. "The few trade outposts like this one are havens for those who do not wish to be found."

"like us." Puledro said sighing as they continued on their way until they came to a little plaza surrounded by several junk dealers.

"We'll try one of the smaller dealers." The Unicorn said as they head for a little junk shop that has a huge pile of broken airships stacked up behind it.

"Good day to you." A black griffin with and Italian ascent said happily, flying over to them as they entered the dingy junk shop. " My name's Gerardo. What do you need?"

"I need parts for a E-type 467 Neighbian." Star Swirl said as Puledro and Wa-waush-ka'-ehe wondered around the shop.

"Ah yes, ah yes. Neighbian. We've got lots of that." Gerardo said before his demeanour changed. "Boy, get in here! Now!" He angrily yelled outback.

"Here's a list of what I need." The unicorn said levitating a roll of paper out from his saddle bag.

Suddenly a dishevelled unicorn colt with a dark gray coat and black mane, ran in from the junk yard.

"What took you so long?" The griffin asked the colt angrily.

"I was cleaning the bin like you-" The colt began.

"Watch the store. I've got some selling to do here." He interrupted before turning his attention back to Star Swirl and changing his demeanour back to happy.  "Soooo, let me take you outback. We'll you'll find what you need." He said leading the unicorn out to the junk yard, leaving Wa-waush-ka'-ehe with Puledro and the young colt. 

Wa-waush-ka'-ehe picked up a gizmo, trying to figure out its purpose, not used to being around technology but Star Swirl took it out of his hooves and put it back.

"Please, don't touch anything." Crystal Knight said, knowing they might not be able to afford it if it broke.

Wa-waush-ka'-ehe just shrugged him off before continuing to look around the shop. The young colt sat behind the counter on a stool, pretending to clean a part, staring at Puledro.

"Are you a Ponylorian?" The Colt asked.

"What?" Puledro asked looking at him.

"A Ponylorian. I've heard the airship pilots talk about them. They are one of the most disciplined warriors in Equestria. They live in the badlands west of the griffin kingdom I think."

"You're a funny little boy. How do you know so much?" The earth pony asked.

"I listen to all the traders and pilots that come by here. I'm a pilot, you know, and some day I'm gonna get away from this place." The unicorn colt explained. 

"You're a pilot?" Puledro said a bit sarcastically.

"Uh-huh. All my life."

"How long have you been here?" He asked.

"Since I was very little. My Mom and I were sold to Sultana Madyan, but she lost us, betting on the chariot races." The colt explained.

"You're a slave?!" Puledro asked, astonished that their was still slavery in parts of Equestria.

"I am a pony! And my name is Sombra." He said defensively.

"I'm sorry. I don't fully understand. This is a strange place to me." The red earth pony explained.

"It's ok." Sombra said knowing he didn't mean anything by it.





Meanwhile, Gerardo flew along as he and Star Swirl walked through the junk yard.

"A large crystal power generator!!" Gerardo exclaimed when Star Swirl told him the next thing on the list. "You're in luck, I'm the only one around here who has one... but you might as well buy a new ship. It would be cheaper, I think... speaking of which, how are you going to pay for all this?"

"I have 20,000 Imperial Credits." Star Swirl said looking over the list.

"Credits?!?" The griffin exclaimed, his happy demeanour wavering. Imperial Credits are no good out here. I need something more real."

"I don't have anything else." The Unicorn said igniting his horn. "But credits will do fine."

"No they won't." Gerardo said unfazed.

"Credits WILL do fine." Star Swirl said putting more power into his spell.

"No, they won't. What you think you're some kinda Crystal Knight, using your horn like that? I'm a Griffin. Mind spells don't work on me, only Bits." the griffin explained. "No Bits, no parts! No deal! And nopony else around here has a large crystal power generator, I can promise you that."





Back in the shop Sombra and Puledro were still talking.

"Wouldn't have lasted this long if I weren't so good at crystal magic." Sombra said referring to his cutie mark of a red crystal with three points as Star Swirl walked back in. 

"We're leaving." Star Swirl said flatly as he passed them. "Wa-waush-ka'-ehe?" He said grabbing the deer's attention as he was occupied with looking at a strange bipedal crystal droid. 

"It was nice meeting you Sombra." Puledro said before turning leaving with the others.

"It was nice meeting you too." he said as the group left.

"Outlanders!" Gerardo exclaimed watching them leave. "They think they know everything."

"They seemed nice to me." Sombra said shrugging.

"Clean the racks... then you can go home." The griffin said deciding to close early.

"Yippee!" The black colt exclaimed,  running out the back.
> Chapter 9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"... and you're sure there's nothing left on board?" Star Swirl asked into a short rang communication crystal as the group stood in an alleyway outside Gerardo shop.

"A few containers of supplies, the King's wardrobe...maybe. But not enough for you to barter with. Not in the amounts you're talking about." Clover responded.

"All right. I'm sure another solution will present itself. I'll check back later." The elder unicorn said putting the communication crystal back into his saddle bag. He started to walk out into the main street but was stopped by Wa-waush-ka'-ehe.

"Not again... the beings around here are crazy. We're going to be mugged and stabbed." The deer warned.

"Not likely. We have nothing of value," Star Swirl explained to the deer. "And that's our problem."





The small group of ponies and deer walked down the street with Wa-waush-ka'-ehe walking behind the others. As they walk by an outdoor cafe one of Wa-waush-ka'-ehe antlers accidently caught a piece of meat hanging on a wire.

"Hay, hay. Are you going to pay for that?" The vender asked thinking Wa-waush-ka'-ehe was trying to steal it.

"Huh?" The deer said looking at him.

"That meat costs seven Bits." The vender said pointing to the meat caught in his antlers.

"MEAT?!" Wa-waush-ka'-ehe exclamed in disgust looking up to see the meat stuck in his antlers and quickly shaking his head to get it out.

As he shook his head the wire holding the meat snapped, sending it flying through the air, landing in a bowl of soup, splashing a drake who was eating it. As Wa-waush-ka'-ehe moved away from the vender, the drake jumped up from the table and grabbed the hapless deer.

"Is this yours??" The drake asked holding the meat in front of him.

"Who, me-?" The deer asked but chocked as the drake tightened his grip as Star Swirl turned around realising he was no longer with him and saw him in a fight.

"Careful, Alduin." Sombra said walking up to the two. "He's a big time outlander. Has ties to The Sultans if you know what I mean. I'd hate to see you diced before we race again." He half laughed as Alduin stopped his assault on Wa-waush-ka'-ehe.

"Next time we race, boy, it will be the end of you!" The drake said turning to face the young unicorn. "If you weren't a slave, I'd squash you now."

"Yeah, it'd be a pity if you had to pay for me." Sombra said as the drake dropped the deer and went back to his seat as Star Swirl and Puledro walked over to them. "Hi! Your buddy here was about to be turned into ash. He picked a fight with a Drake. An especially dangerous Drake called Alduin."

"I hate fighting. That’s the last thing I want." Wa-waush-ka'-ehe said getting up.

"Nevertheless, the boy is right. You were heading for trouble. Thanks, my young friend." Star Swirl Said smiling at the colt.

"But... but... I didn't do anything!" The deer said as they started walking down the crowded street.





Clover stood in front of the airship getting some fresh air when the winds began pick up and whip at her robe as Strong Sword exited the ship to join her.

"This storm will slow them down." Clover said as the wind started to turn into a sand storm.

"It looks pretty bad." Strong Sword noted.

"Captain!" One of the Kings guards said standing at the top of the ramp.

"What is it?" The Brown earth pony asked.

"We've managed to get the some of the communication crystals working and we're receiving a message from home." The guard reported.

"We'll be right there." Strong Sword said as he and Clover made their way back inside. 





Knowing that the group had no money, Sombra lead them to a small fruit stand run by a kind old mare who gave him discounts.

"Here, you'll like these cactus fruit." Sombra said handing some to Star Swirl.

"Thank you." He said holding one in his hoof, revealing his crystal saber for a moment, before levitating the rest into his saddle bag.

"Oh, my bones are aching ... storm's coming up, Sombra. You'd better get home quick." The old mare warned as the wind slowly started to pick up.

"Do you have shelter?" the black colt asked.

"We'll head back to our airship." Star Swirl said as the shops around them started to close down.

"Is it far?" Sombra asked worriedly. 

"It's on the outskirts." Puledro said.

"You'll never reach the outskirts in time! Sandstorms are very, very dangerous." The young unicorn warned. "Come on! I'll take you to my place." he said leading them down the streat.
> Chapter 10
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The sand storm raged as Sombra lead Star Swirl, Wa-waush-ka'-ehe, and Puledro down the street and into a slave hovel.

"Mom! Mom! I'm home." Sombra called as the group entered the small living space.

"This is cozy." Wa-waush-ka'-ehe said using his antlers to scratch some of the sad out of his fur as a gray pegasus mare with a brown mane and tale walked into the main room from her work area and is startled to see the room full of other ponies.

"These are my friends, Mom." The young colt explained.

"Aanii!" The deer greeted.

"I'm Star Swirl The bearded." The elder unicorn intoduused himself. "Your son was kind enough to offer us shelter."

"I'm building a crystal droid. You wanna see?" Sombra asked Puledro.

"Sure." He said shruging.

"Come on! I'll show you 2DK!" The unicorn colt said leading him into his room and over to a workbench where a decive droid sat incomplet. "Isn't he great?! He's not finished... yet."

"He looks wonderful!" Puledro said amazed that he was able to build a droid by himself at such a young age.

"You really like him? He's a etiquette droid to help my Mom. Watch!" Sombra said putting a crystal into a slot on the droid.

"Hello, I am A-2DK, Pony Cyborg Relations. How might I serve yo-?" The droid said before malfunctuning and shutting down

"I still have some work to do." He said sadly " Anyway, when the storm is over, I'll show you my racer. I'm building a Chariot racer!"





Meanwhile back on the airship King Emissarius, his two other advisers, Strong Sword, and Clover watched a hologram transmission of a the kings eldest adviser hologram.

"Chaos is running ramped and the death toll is catastrophic...we must bow to their wishes... you must contact me..." The hologram said before disapearing.

"It's a trick. Send no reply... Send no transmission of any kind." Clover said remembering what Star Swirl told her and seeing the kings worried face before leaving to contact her master.





"It sounds like bait to establish a connection trace." Star Swirl said once Clover had relayed the message to him.

"What if it is true and the ponies are dying?" She asked.

"Either way, we're running out of time." The elder unicorn sighed.
> Chapter 11
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A cloaked figuer floated along side Aria Blaze as she walked along a balcony over looking the Crystal Empire.

"Saddle Arabia is sparsely populated. If the trace was correct, I will find them quickly, Father." Aria said looking up at the figure.

"Move against the Knights first...you will then have no difficulty in taking the King to Neighboo to sign the treaty." The figure said with an evil voice.

"At last we will reveal ourselves to the Crystal Knights. At last we will have revenge." She said happily, watching the Crystal Ponies going about their day.

"Chaos has made you strong, my child, they will be no match for you." The figure said making her smile.





The giant sandstorm contiued to blow out side as Star Swirl, Sombra, Wa-waush-ka'-ehe and Puledro sat around a table.

"All slaves have small locater crystal placed inside their bodies somewhere." Shadow Flower explained as she surved the group lunch.

"I've been working on a locator crystal to try and locate mine." Sombra said looking up from his food.

"Any attempt to escape..." She contiuned taking a seat.

"...and they blow you up... boom!" Her son finished.

"How rude." Wa-waush-ka'-ehe exclamied. 

"I can't believe there is still slavery in Equestia." Puledro said bewilder. "The Princesses' anti-slavery laws..".

"The princesses' authority isn't recognised out here...we must survive on our own." The pegasus mare said as Wa-waush-ka'-ehe used his antlers to grab an apple, everyone giving him a dirty look.

"'Scuse me." He said looking around the table.

"Has anypony ever seen a Crystal Chriot Race?" Sombra asked changing the subject.

"They have Chariot Racing in Minostare. Very fast, very dangerous." Star Swirl explained.

"I'm the only pony around here who can do it." The black colt said proudly. 

"You must have Knight like reflexes." The bearded unicorn said stoping Wa-waush-ka'-ehe from using his antlers to steal more food with his magic. "Don't do that again." He worrned before letting him go.

"You're a Crystal Knight, aren't you?" Sombra asked.

"What makes you think that?" Star Swirl asked as Puledro and Wa-waush-ka'-ehe shared a look.

"I saw your crystal sword. Only Crystal Knights carry that kind of weapon." The colt explained.

"Perhaps I killed one and took it from him." The elder Unicorn said leaning back and slowly smiling.

"I don't think so... Nopony can kill a Crystal Knight." Sombra declared.

"I wish that were so..." Star Swirl laughed before sighing.

"I had a dream I was a Knight and I freed all the slaves..." He stated. "Have you come to free us?"

"No, I'm afraid not..." The Crystal Knight said, sadly shacking his head.

"I think you have... why else would you be here?"

"I can see there's no fooling you..." Star Swirl said leaning forward. "We're on our way to the Crystal Empire, on a very important mission."

"How did you end up out here?" Sombra asked confused as to how they ended up in one of the farthest places from it.

"Our airship was damaged, and we're stranded here until we can repair it." Puledro said finishing his meal.

"I can help!" Sombra declared. "I can fix anything!"

"I believe you can, but first we must acquire the parts we need." The unicorn said.

"And with nothing to trade." The deer continued.

"These junk dealers must have a weakness of some kind." The king's advisor asked.

"Gambling." Shadow Flower stated "Everything here revolves around betting on those awful races."

"Chariot racing..." Star Sirl said thinking. "Greed can be a powerful ally."

"I've built a Chariot. It's the fastest ever!" Sombra said thinking of a way to help them. "There's a big race tomorrow, on Summer's Eve. You could enter mine-"

"Sombra!" His mother said stopping him. "Gerardo won't let you."

"Gerardo doesn't know I've built it." the colt said turing to Star Swirl "You could make him think it's yours, and get him to let me drive it for you."

"I don't want you to race. It's awful. I die every time Gerardo makes you do it." Shadow Flower said pleadingly.

"But Mom, I love it." Sombra said before sighing. "The prize money would more than pay for the parts they need."

"Sombra!" The mare said worring him to drop it.

"Your mother's right. Is there anyone friendly to the Princesses who might help us?" Star Swirl asked to which she shook her head.

"Mom... you said the biggest problem here is that nopony helps each other..." Sombra said sadly.

"I'm sure Star Swirl doesn't want to put your son in danger. We'll find some other way." Puledro said streaching a bit.

"No." Shadow Flower said with a sigh. "There is no other way... I may not like it, but... he can help you... he was meant to help you."





When the storm finaly subsided Sombra left to tell Gerardo that he would be entering the next chariot race, Star Swirl, Wa-waush-ka'-ehe and Puledro following soon after.

"Are you sure about this?" Puledro asked stoping the elder unicorn before he entered the shop. "Trusting our fate to a boy we hardly know. The King will not approve."

"The King doesn't need to know." Star Swirl said giving him a knowing look.

"Well, I don't approve." He said grumpily.

"The boy tells me you wanta sponser him in a race." Gerardo said as Star Swirl walked into the shop. "How can you do this? Not on Imperial Credits, I think, huh." He said flying over to him.

"My ship will be the entry fee." Star Swirl said levitating a small Crystal out of his pocket, and a hologram of the Neighboo airship appeared about a foot long in front of them.

"Oh, not bad... not bad... ah Neighbian, ah." The griffin said studying it.

"It's in good order, except for the parts I need." The unicorn explained putting the crystal away.

"Alright, but what would the boy ride?" Gerardo asked. "He smashed up my Chariot in the last race. It will take some time to fix it."

"It wasn't my fault really." Sombra said a bit embarrassed. "Alduin pushed me with his thu'um. I actually saved the chariot... mostly."

"That you did." Greardo laughed. "The boy is good, no doubts there."

"Well, I have acquired a chariot in a game of chance. The fastest ever built." Star Swirl lied. 

"I hope you didn't kill anyone I know for it." The griffin laughed nowing how most games of chance end. "So, you supply the chariot and the entry fee; I supply the colt. We split the winnings fifty-fifty, I think."

"If it's going to be fifty-fifty, then I suggest you front the cash for the entry." Star Swirl said putting his plan into motion. "If we win, you keep all the winnings, minus the cost of the parts I need and If we lose, you keep my ship." He said as the griffin thought about it. "Either way, you win."

"Deal!" Gerardo said pumping Star swirls hoof to make it offical. "Your friend is a follish one, I think." he said to Sombra as Star Swirl left.
> Chapter 12
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What if this plan fails, Master?" Colver asked over the short range communication crystal. "We could be stuck here for a long time."

"Well, it's too dangerous to call for help now. An airship without a power supply isn't gonna get us anywhere, and... there is something about this colt..." Star Swirl explained sitting out on a porch watching Sombra working on his chariot with the others in courtyard below. "You should be proud of your son. He gives without any thought of reward." He said to Shadow Flower, putting the cystal away as she came out to the porch.

"Well he knows nothing of greed. He has a..." Shadow Flower said not sure how to describe it.

"He has special gifts." Star Swirl guessed.

"Yes..." The pegasus mare nodded.

"He can see things before they happen. That's why he appears to have such quick reflexes. It is a Knight trait." The elder unicorn elaborated. 

"He deserves better than a slave's life." Shadow Flower said saddly 

"Had he been born with in the princesses influence, we would have identified him early." Star Swirl explained. "Harmony is unusually strong with him, that much is clear. Who is his father?"

"His Father? Um... Well... You see.." She said shyly.

"It's ok. I understand." He said putting a hoof on her sholder.

"Can you help him?" The mare asked looking at him

"I don't know." Star Swirl said sighing. "I didn't actually come here to free slaves." 

"Hey Sombra!" A group of kids called as they ran into the courtyard.

"Working on your Chariot again?" A blue earth pony asked.

"Yep. I'm entered in the Summer Race tomorrow!

"What? With this??" The blue earth pony asked.

"You are such a joker, Sombra." A donky colt laughed.

"You've been working on that thing for years." A young female griffin stated.

"It's never gonna run." A zebra filly said.

"Come on, let's go and play ball. Keep racing, Sombra, you're gonna be bug squash tomorrow." A mean unicorn colt said as all the kids except the blue earth pony colt left.

"Hey! Wa-waush-ka'-ehe!" Sombra called to the deer who was carring over a box of crystals. "Care full with those Energy Crystals... If they go off in your hoof it will go numb for hours."

Taking what Sombra said into account, Wa-waush-ka'-ehe carfully put the box down before picking one up. Unfortunaty dispite his best efferts the crystal sent a jolt of energy through him, arking between his antlers before dissipating.

"Ouch muy tonge is fat. Muy togne. Oucho." The dear said his words garbled before going to sit down.

"You don't even know if this things gonna run." The blue earth pony colt said as Sombra stepped into the self driving chariot.

"It will." Sombra stated as Star Swirl walked over to the chariot, picking up one of the energy crystals from the box Wa-waush-ka'-ehe had brought over.

"I guess it's time we found out. Here use this Energy Crystal." Star Swirl said handing it to him. "Come on. Lets move away." He said as every one backed away.

Sombra put the energy crystal into place before he fliped a switch and the Chariot came to life glowing as it gave off a slight glow.

"It's working! It's working!" Sombra yelled happily.





Sombra sat on the porch of his hovel as Star Swirl tended to a cut on the colts foreleg telling him about the difrent parts of equestria and the princesses. When he told Sombra about Princess Luna he leaned back to look at the vast blanket of stars in the sky.

"Stay still, Sombra. Let me clean this cut." The elder unicorn said wiping at it.

"There are so many! And she puts them all up herself?" Sombra said astonished.

"Yep." Star Swirl said looking up at the stars himself and smiling.

"Your so lucky to travle all over Equestria going to diffrent kingdoms." The unicorn colt said jealously. "Has anyone been to them all?

"Hmm, Not likely." Star Swirl said thinking about it.

"Then I want to be the first one to see them all!" Sombra declared.

"Sombra, bedtime!" Shadow Flower called from inside the hovel

"Ouch!" The black colt said as Star Swirl put some of his blood onto a crystal.

"There we are, good as new..." The elder unicorn said wipping a patch of blood off his arm.

"Sombra! I'm not going to tell you again!" His mom said looking out onto the portch

"What are you doing?" Sombra asked seeing the bloody crystal.

"Checking your blood for infections." Star Swirl said getting up. "You have a big day tomorrow. Goodnight." He said as Sombra rolled his eyes and ran into the hovel. Once Sombra was out of ear shot he took the blood stained crystal and wraped it in a roll of paper before pulling out his comunication crystal. "Clover."

"Yes, Master." The unicorn mare responed.

"I need an analysis of this blood sample I'm sending you." Star Swirl explained.

"Wait a minute." Clover said setting up what she need.

"I need a Magic Resonates scan." He explaned before using a specal match to send the crystal to clover.

Reseving the crystal Clover put it into a container were it levitated in a red glow as a the analusus apeared on a small screen. 

"The reading's off the chart... over twenty thousand!" Clover exclaimed. "Even you doesn't have a Magic Resonates that high!"

"No unicorn has." Star Swirl explained.

"What does that mean?" She asked.

"I'm not sure." The elder unicorn said looking up to see Shadow Flower in the doorway watching him before going back into the kitchen while he pondered the situation.





A sinister looking airship landed on top of a desert mesa. A ramp lowered as Aria Blaze walked out and over to the edge of the mesa and studied the landscape with a pair of binoculars. Spoting the lights of three different cities in the distance, her horn lit up and three football-sized crystal probe droids float out of the ship and head off in three different directions toward the cities.
> Chapter 13
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I wanta see your Airship the moment the race is over." Gerardo said flying beside Star Swirl as he walked through a hanger where all the racers were putting last minute touches on thier chariots.

"Patience, my feathered friend. You'll have your winnings before the sun sets, and we'll be far away from here." Star Swirl said assuringly

"Not if your ship belongs to me, I think..." The griffin said with a laugh. "I warn you, no funny business."

"You don't think Sombra will win?"" The Unicorn asked rasing an eyebrow.

"Don't get me wrong. I have great faith in the boy. He's a credit to your race." Gerardo said stopping infront of an orange and red chariot. "But Alduin there is going to win, I think." he siad mostaining to the Drake who was getting a massage from female griffins.

"Why do you think that?" Star Swirl asked.

"He always wins." The griffin laughed. "I'm betting everything on Alduin."

"I'll take that bet." The unicorn said casing Gerardo to land in suprise.

"You'll what??!!"

"I'll wager my new Chariot against... say... the boy and his mother." Star Swirl said off handedly.

"No chariot is worth two slaves." Gerardo said disgruntled.  "Not by a long shot."

"The boy, then..."

"Um... Well... We'll let fate decide, huh." The griffin said pulling out a small cube with two colours on it. "I just happen to have a chance cube here. Blue it's the boy, red his mother." He said rolling it on the ground as Star Swirls horn glowed slightly and it landed on blue.

"You won the small toss, outlander, but you won't win the race, so it makes little difference." Gerardo said angirly, flying over to the hanger enterence where Sombra, Puledro, Shadow Flame, Wa-waush-ka'-ehe and Sombra's blue earth pony friend were brining Sombra's Chariot in. "Better stop your friends betting or I'll end up owning him too." He said before flying away as Star Swirl walked up to them.

"What'd he mean by that?" Sombra asked looking up at the Crystal Knight.

"I'll tell you later. Goodmorning." He said noding to Shadow Flower.

"This is so awsome Sombra! I'm sure you'll do it this time." The blue earth pony colt said encouragingly.

"Do what?" Puledro asked listening in on their conversation.

"Finish the race, of course!" The colt said looking up at him.

"You've never won a race?" The young adviser asked.

"Well... not exactly..." Sombra said sheepishly

"Not even finished?!"

"Shad's right, I will this time." He said optimistically.

"Of course you will." Star Swirl Said walking up to them as Puledro gave him a concerned look.





A large semi-circular amphitheatre that held hundred of ponies and other beings cheared reastlessly as they waited for the race to begin.

"Welcome one and all to the Summer's Eve Chariot Race." The anouncer said using a spell to amplify his voice over the crowd. "And it looks like we have a big turnout here, from all corners of the Outer Kingdoms. I see the contestants are making their way out onto the starting grid."

On the left side of the track across from the grandstands, a line of Chariots emerged from the large hanger, surrounded by several crew members as the anoucer continued naming off diffrent racers.

"You all set?" Star Swirl asked as Sombra looked over his chariot making sure everything was in order.

"Yep." The black colt said finishing his inspection.

"All right." The elder unicorn said helping him into the chariot. "Remember, concentrate on the moment. Feel. Don't think. Use your instincts." He said giving him some last minute advice.

"I will." Sombra nodded.

"May Harmony guide you." Star Swirl said before walking away as Sombra put on his helmet.

As Alduin walked over to his chariot he passed by Sombra's. Pausing for amoment, he then looked around to make sure no one was looking before lossening one of the bolts on one of the wheels of Sombra's chariot before contiueing on his way laughing to himself.

"Now a word from the race's main sponser and our glorious leader, Sultan HiSaan!" The anouncer said as the crowd roared as a large brown horse moved out to the edge his private box to greet the crowe.

"Welcome!" Sultan HiSaan said in to a crystal that made his voice boom over the roaring crowed. "Begin the race!"





"Is he nervous?" Shadow Flower asked nervously as Star Swirl entered their veiwing platform.

"He's fine." He said as the platform rised like an elevator.

"You Knights are far too reckless. The King is not..." Puledro begain before being intrupted.

"The King trusts my judgment, young adviser. You should too." Star Swirl said moving to get a better view of the race.

"You assume too much." The red earth pony said glaring daggers at him. 





All the crystal chariots started to glow and hum as the racers got ready for the signal to start the race.  Sultan HiSaan then noded to pony standing by a gong, who then struck it signaling the start of the race and the chariots shot forward, Sombra's the last to get going. The chariots fly across the desert. Alduin was running neck and neck with a minotaur racer as they rounded the first turn in the track.

"FUS RO DAH!" Alduin shouted at the other racer, unleashing his Thu'um and pushing him into the wall of a large rock formation.

Meanwhile Sombra, being much faster than the back-end stragglers began to pass them easily moving up in the race. One of the drivers, however wouldn't let him by. Sombra tried to pass him on one side but was cut off. He then tried to pass him on the other side and was once again cut off. As they come up on a small  drop-off, Sombra backed off before guning it as the racer went over the cliff  causing him sails right over the top of the other racer and speed away.

All the racers filed in to a line as the track narowed into a large ravine. Being in a smaller chariot Sombra managed to manover around some of the chariots as the track lead into a cave. Being the first into it, Alduin came up with a sinister idea.

"VEN MUL RIIK!" The drake shouted as the Cave began to fill with a thick fog causing some of the racers to cash into unseen obsticals.

Alduin exited the cave onto a clear streach of track the finish line visable in the distence, a few of the racers still behind him, Sombra amung them.

"At the end of the first Lap Alduin is in the lead and it looks like Sombra is moving up in the field." The anouncer noted as he crossed the finsh line with Sombra not far behind.

Lap two. Alduin lead the pack past the main arena as the crowd stands and cheers as the Chariots drive off into the distance. Sombra powered around corners and over hills and small cliffs, passing the other racers right and left as he worked his way through the dense mass of racers as they zoom over a dune sea, kicking up dust. His wheels shakes violently as he went over a jump.

"Ven Gar Nos!" Alduin shouted causing a cyclone to appear and send a racer that pulled up beside him swerving into a large rock alowing Sombra to catch up as they pulled into the streach of trake before the main arena.

"Here he comes, yahoo!" Wa-waush-ka'-ehe cheered seeing he was in second place as the two racers came into view

"At the start of the third and final lap, Alduin is in the lead, closely followed by Sambra!" The Anouncer said as the crowd roard in exitment over the intence race.

Sombra finally caught up with Alduin, and they ran neck and neck over the rough terrain. Alduin tryed to use the spikes on his wheels to try to cut through Sombra's but he managed to avoid the attack but was forced off course and up a service ramp. Thinking fast Sombra made an L-Turn and used a secondary service ramp to cut a corner and take the lead.

Furious, Alduin stayed right on his tail, crowding him and pushing him through the turns. As the drake pushed Sombra harder, and the young colt had a difficult time keeping control. Suddenly one of Sombra's wheels began to shake loose before coming off and rolled away, alowing Alduin to pass him.

Thinking quickly, the unicorn colt leadned to one side balencing the chariot on it's one wheel so it wouldn't tip over. As he struggled to keep his chariot going an idea poped into his head as he fired up his horn consentrating and praying his idea would work. Sudenly the axle with the missing wheel was covered in a red arura as a new wheel grew out of it.

"It worked!" Sombra exclamed as he quickly caught up with Alduin, pulling up beside him, moving much faster with his new wheel as they arived at the home stretch.

Alduin veered towards Sombra and banged into him just missing him with the spikes on his wheel. He continued to crash into him over and over again as the young colt struggled to maintain control. Sudenly Alduin's spikes made contact with Sombra's wheel but instead of cutting through it the spickes became fused with the magicaly prodused wheel.

"That little colt's out of his mind. They're side by side!" The Anouncer said as they got closer to the finish line.

The two racers foght to pull apart by trying to pull away from each other. The strain on the two wheels was tremendous.

"Wuld Nah Kest!" Alduin shouted in a last dich effert to break free. Unforchantly the suden burst of speed caused his wheel to snap off from his chariot and he skidded off cource. "Damn it!" The drake cursed as Sombra flew by the crowded stands crossing the finish line in first place.

"The winner is Sombra and crowds are going nuts!" The anouncer exclamed not believing it himself.

As Sombra stoped his chariot, Shad, Star Swirl, Shadow Flower, Puledro and Wa-waush-ka'-ehe rush over to him.

"I won?! I won! Yeah!" Sombra Cheered as the reality of the situation kicked in and fans began to carry him and his chariot into the hanger.





Sombra waited in the hanger as everyone but Star Swirl walked up to him

"Great job, Sombra!" Wa-waush-ka'-ehe said giving him a hoof bumb.

"We owe you everything, Sombra." Puledro said greatfully

"It's so wonderful, Sombra. You have brought hope to those who have none. I'm so very proud of you." His mom said giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Ah. Mom." Sombra said embarrassed





Meanwhile Gerardo was sadly paying off one of his bets as Star Swirl walked up to him.

"You!" The griffin said angerly flying over to him. "You swindled me! You knew the boy was going to win! Somehow you knew it!" he said acusingly before landing sadly. "I lost everything."

"Whenever you gamble, my friend, eventually you'll lose." Star Swirl said mater of factly. "Bring the parts to the main hanger. I'll come by your shop later so you can release the boy."

"You can't have him! It wasn't a fair bet!" Gerardo said half-heartedly.

"Would you like to discuss it with the Sultan... I'm sure he can settle this." The unicorn said off handedly

"Take him!" The griffin said sadly as Star Swirl noded before leaving.
> Chapter 14
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	 Star Swirl, Puledro and Wa-waush-ka'-ehe walked towards the Neighboo airship pulling floting crystal moving dollies. Spotting them, Clover and some of the kings guards came out of the ship to help them.

"Well, we have all the essential parts we need." Star Swirl said as the partes where loaded onto the airship. "I'm going back... Some unfinished business. I won't be long."

"Why do I sense we've picked up another needy life form?" Clover asked as the guards loaded the last of the parts on board.

"It's the colt who's responsible for getting those parts." The elder unicorn sighed. "Get the crystal power generator installed."

"Yes, Master. It shouldn't take long." The unicorn mare said as her master left with the dollies.





Sombra and Star Swirl walked toward the hovel after selling the Sombra's chariot.

"Here these are yours." The elder unicorn said levitating a large bag of bits out of his saddle bag, giving it to the colt.

"Yes!" Sombra said as they entered the hovel. "Mom, we sold the chariot. Look at all the money we have!" He said walking over to where his mom was, putting the bag of coins onto the table causing some of them to spill out.

"Oh, my goodness, That's wonderful." The pegasus mare exclaimed.

"And he's been freed." Star Swirl said wlking over to the two.

"What?!?" The young colt exclamed not sure he heard right.

"You're no longer a slave." The elder unicorn explained.

"Did you hear that?!" Sombra said happily looking at his mother. 

"Now you can make your dreams come true. You're free!" Shadow Flower said before turning to Star Swirl realizing something. "Will you take him with you? Is he to become a Crystal Knight?"

"Yes." he said nodding. "Our meeting was not a coincidence. Nothing happens by accident."

"You mean I get to come with you in your airship?!" Sombra said, the smile on his face growing bigger and bigger.

"Sombra," Star Swirl said croching down a bit to his level. "Training to become a Knight is not a easy challenge. And if you succeed, it can be a hard life." he explianed.

"But I want to go. It's what I've always dreamed of doing. Can I go, Mom?!" The black unicorn colt asked looking at his mom.

"Sombra, this path has been placed for you; the choice is yours alone." She explained.

"I want to do it." he said after thinking about it.

"Then, pack your things." Star Swirl said getting back up.

"Yipee!" Sombra said giving his mom a hug and started to run to his room, before stopping when he realized something. "What about Mom? Is she free too?"

"I tried to free your mother, but Gerardo wouldn't have it." Star Swirl sighed saddly

"You're coming, aren't you, Mom?" Sombra asked, an unsure look coming over his face.

"Son," Shadow Flower began. "My place is here. My future is here. It is time for you to let go."

"I don't want things to change." The black unicorn colt said saddly.

"But you can't stop change any more than you can stop Celestia's sun from setting." his mom said giving him a hug, trying to hold back her own tears. "Now hurry." She said nuging him to his room before turning to Star Swirl. "Thank you."

"I'll watch after him. You have my word." he said looking over at her. "Will you be all right?"

"Yeah." The pegasus mare said rubbing her eyes.

Meanwhile Sombra was hurrying to throw the last of his things into a saddle bag. He walked over and pushes the button on his droid finaly getting it to work.

"Oh! Oh my, oh. Hello Master Sombra." The crystal droid greated.

"Well, 2DK, I'm free... and I'm going away in an airship." Sombra explained

"Master, Sombra, you are my maker, and I wish you well. However, I should prefer it if I were a little more... comepleted." 2DK said looking down at his nonexistent legs.

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to finish you, 2DK... Give you legs and all..." The colt said picking up somethings. "I'm going to miss working on you. You've been a great pal. I'll make sure Mom doesn't sell you or anything." He said a bit sarcasticly.

"Sell me?!?" The buttler droid exclamed.

"Bye." Sombra said leaving his room.





One of the crystal probe droid beepped and whistled as it returned to Aria Blaze. The purple pony then put her hood up before getting on a crystal powered scooter and bagan to follow the droid.





Star Swirl and Sombra ran towards the Neighboo airship as Aria Blaze began to sneek up on them.

"Star Swirl, sir, wait up!" Sombra said as he began to lag behind. 

"Sombra, drop!" Star Swirl shouted turing around to see the hooded pony riding towards them.

Doing what he was told Sombra dropped to the ground just in time as the floting scooter flew over him. Aria Blaze then jumped off and activated a red crystal saber before hiting the ground.

"Tell them to take off!" Star Swirl shouted to Sombra who was now running to the airship as he activated his own crystal saber blocking the hooded ponies attack.





"Star Swirl's in trouble!" Sombra said as everyone ran into the cockpit

"Take off. Over there! Fly low!" Clover said watching the fight as the airship began to take off.





Star Swirl and Aria Blaze continue their sword battle as the airship began to kick up dust. Seeing the ship few feet directly above him Star Swirl quickly jumped onto the bording ramp before it retacted and took off leaving Aria Blaze standing alone.





Sombra and Clover rush into the hallway to find Star Swirl collapsed on the floor opposite the entry breathing hard, wet with sweat and covered in dirt.

"Are you all right?" Sombra asked concerned. 

"I think so." The elder unicorn said catching his breath.

"What was it?" Clover asked referring to the fight.

"I'm not sure... but it was well trained in the our arts. My guess is it was after the King." He explained.

"What are we going to do about it?" Sombra asked worried.

"We will be patient." Star Swirl said getting up. "Sombra, meet Clover The Clever." He said introdusing the two.

"Hi." Sombra said shaking her hoof before noticing her crystal braclet. "You're a Crystal Knight too? Pleased to meet you." He said shacking her hoof more vigorously as Star Swirl laughed.
> Chapter 15
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The ship sped north finaly on its way to the crystal empire. Half of the crew was asleep after the long exosting day. The lights were dim as Puledro walked into the main room. He went over to a monitor and watched the recording of the mesage from the kings eldest adviser. He sighed watching it before turning to see Sombra sitting in a chair, shivering and looking very dejected.

"Are you all right?" the red earth pony asked.

"It's very cold." The black colt said shevering

"You come from a warm kingdom, Sombra. A little too warm for my taste. The north is cold." Puledro said seeing an unused blacket and draping it over him.

"You seem sad." Sombra said seeing the the sad look on his face.

"The King is... worried. His ponies are suffering... dying. He must convince the Senate to intervene, I'm not sure what will happen." The adviser explained.

"Oh." he said, finaly understanding why they were headed to the Crystl Empire.





"The Crystal Empire... almost the entire kingdom is one big crystal city." The Captain explained as the airship finaly arived at the Crystal Empire and Sombra looked out the cockpit window in awe. "There's the princess's coach. And look over there, Ambassador Adagio is waiting for us." He said pointing to their landing platform.

Princess Luna and Celestia as well as a cyan alicorn and a few of their royal guard exited their coach before standing next to Ambassador Adagio on the landing platform as the Neighboo airship landed. The ramp lowered and Star Swirl, Clover, Wa-waush-ka'-ehe and Sombra descend the ramp first and bowed before the princesses. 	Captain Strong Sword and a few guard then desened the ramp followed by King Emissarius and his advisers. Emissarius stoped before the group.

"It is a great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty." Ambassador Adagio said bowing to him. "With the communications breakdown, we've become very concerned. I'm anxious to hear your report on the situation. May I present Princess Celestia of the Day, Princess Luna of the Night and Princess Amidala ruler of the Crystal Empire." she said introdusing the young alicorn.

"Welcome, It's good to see you again Emissarius." The cyan alicorn said giving him a hug. "I'm sorry I could't be there for your corenation." she said gigiling a bit when she noticed sombra staring at her, memorised by her beauty. 

"It's alight we're cousins. And I know you had other obligations." The red earthpony king explained.

"We must relay to you how distressed everypony is over the currant situation." Celestia said introupting. "We've called for a special session of the Senate to hear your position."

"I am grateful for your concern, Princess." Emissarius said blowing to the her.

"There is a question of precedure, but I feel confident we can overcome it." Adagio said as they began to walk over to the royal coach.

As most of the group walked to the coach Star Swirl and Clover reamained behind with Luna.

"We must speak with the Council immediately. The situation has become more complicated." the elder unicorn said after giving her an affectionate nussle.

"I'll call for a taxie and give them a heads up." The princess explained.

Cathing the tail end of their conversation Sombra turned around to unsure where he should be going.

"Go with the King. We'll meet up later." Star Swirl said as Puledro called to him.

"The princesses are being awfully nice don't you think?" Wa-waush-ka'-ehe said as sombra sat be side him in the coach. "Kind of hot." He said to himself as the coach started to head in the direction of the crystal palace.





Star Swirl and Clover stood in the center of a tall, round room in the Temple of The Cyrstal Knights.  Sitting in a semi-circle in front of them sat the The Council Of Masters of the Order of The Crystal Knights; The Pegasus Firefly, the Earth Pony Strong Shield, the Minotaur Iron Steal, the Griffin Hilda, the Horse Jibril, the Diamond Dog Rex, the Drakes Draco and Slithodyas and the Zebra Zoda. Their was an open spot between Firefly and Strong Shield ment for Star Swirl.

"...It was well trained in our arts." Star Swirl said as he finished recounting what happen in Saddle Arabia. "My only conclusion can be that it was a Chaos Lord."

"Impossible!" Iron Steal said in disbelief.

"Their hasn't hasn't been a Chaos Lord since we banashed the windagos from the empire." Hilda explained.

"I do not believe they could have returned without us knowing." Draco said agreeing with the others.

"Ah, hard to see, Chaos is." Rex reminded them.

"In either case we should use all our resources here to unravel this mystery and discover the identity of your attacker." Jibril motaioned too which the counsile agreed. "May Harmony guide you." The horse said as Clover turned to leave, but Star Swirl continued to face the rest of the Council.

"Master Star Swirl. Is there more you wish to discuss?" Zoda asked.

"Yes. You see I have encountered a vergence in harmony's flow." The elder Unicorn said.

"A vergence, you say?" Firefly asked.

"Located around a Being? Draco asked rasing an eyebrow.

"A colt... he has the highest Magical Resonates I have ever seen in a life form." Star Swirl explained.

"You're referring to the prophesy of the one who will bring Harmony to all of Equestria... you believe it's this colt?" Draco asked.

"I don't presume-" Star Swirl said before being interupted.

"But you do! Revealed your opinion is." Rex stated.

"I request the boy be tested." He sighed.

"Trained as a Knight, you request for him?" Zoda asked.

"Finding him was Harmony's will... I have no doubt of that." Star Swirl said not giving up.

"Bring him before us." Draco sighed.
> Chapter 16
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sombra walked through the halls of the crystal palace looking for something to do.

"Oof!" Sombra said, bumping into something as he rounded a corner.

"Oh Excuse me." Amidala said before looking down at the young colt. "You’re the colt that came in with King Emissarius aren’t you?"

"Um...Y-yes your highness." He said nervously, making her giggle.

"What are you doing wondering the halls?" The young alicorn asked crouching down to his level.

"I got bored waiting for Star Swirl to return and was looking for something to do." Sombra explained.


"I see..." Amidala said thinking for a second. "Follow me." She said getting up.

He didn't know what it was but something about her made him feel warm and safe as he followed her down the hall. They continued down the hall stopping in front of a wooden door. Smiling she opened the door to reveal a bunch of spare parts for different crystal devices.

"My cousin mentioned that you like to tinker with crystal powered devices." The cyan alicorn explained. "I thought you might like to have some of the newest parts."

"I would love some." The colt said happily.

"Glade I could be of some help. I'll have them brought to your room." Amidala said giggling at the colt’s excitement. “Should you need more just ask one of the guards. Now if you excuse me I have to get ready." She said never losing her smile as the colt picked up one of the devices and began walking to his room.





The Senate chambers were huge. Hundreds of ambassadors, representatives and their aides sat in a circular assembly area.  Princess Celestia, Luna and Amidala sat in an elevated area in the center. Ambassador Adagio, King Emissarius, his advisers, Star Swirl and Clover sat in the Neighboo congressional box, which doubled as a floating platform.

"The Crown now recognizes the Ambassador from the Kingdom of Neighboo." Celestia said using her royal cantorlot voice to project her voice as the Neighboo congressional box floated into the center of the room.

"Princesses of Equestria, delegates of the Senate. A tragedy has occurred which started with the taxation of trade routes, and has now engulfed our entire Kingdom in the oppression of the Griffin Trade Federation." Adagio opened as a second box rushed into the center of the Senate filled with Federation trade representatives.

"This is outrageous!" The Trade representative said angrily. "I object to the Ambassador's statements!"

"The Crown has yet to recognize the representatives from the Trade Federation at this time." Princess Luna stated.

"To state our allegations, I present to you King Emissarius, recently crowed ruler of Neighboo, who speaks on our behalf." Adagio said sitting down as King Emissarius stood up to addresses the assembly.

"Honorable representatives of the Kingdoms of Equestria, I come to you under the gravest of circumstances. My Kingdom of Neighboo has been invaded by the crystal droid armies of the Griffin Trade Fed-." King Emissarius began before being interupted.

"I object! There is no proof!" The representative of the Trade representative stated.

"Actually there is." The red earth pony stated trying to remain level headed. "A lot actually. This is a security recording from the outside of our airship of the Federation attempting to kill us as we attempted to escape the invasion." He said as the recording projected a hologram that filled half the room. "And here is a private massage from one of my advisers being held in a prison camp!" Emissarius said as the security footage was replaced with the message they received while in Saddle Arabia.

"Chaos is running ramped and the death toll is catastrophic...we must bow to their wishes... you must contact me..."

"Also there are tons of witnesses." The Neighboo king continued. "Two of which are Crystal Knights."

"We can assure you what the king says is true." Star Swirl said as he and Clover stood next to the king and the gathered senate all called for something to be done.

"Order! Order!" Luna shouted to the crowd to quite them.

"The Point is conceded." Amidala said when the crowd had quieted down. "Reinforcements shall be sent immediately. In the meantime the Griffin Trade Federation shall be put under investigation."

The Senate cheered as they all agreed. The representatives from the Griffin Trade Federation were taken into custody and the king smiled at the Senates decision. Meanwhile a dark look came over Ambassador Adagio as she frowned.





Star Swirl and Clover walked through the halls of the Crystal Palace on their way to Sombra's room.

"The boy will not pass the Council's tests, Master. He's too old." Clover said sighing.

"Sombra will become a knight... I promise you." Star Swirl stated

"Do not go against the rest of the Council, Master... not again."  The unicorn mare pleaded.

"I shall do what I must, Clover." He said as they turned a corner.

"If you would just follow the code that YOU helped to write the others would be less hesitant around you." She explained. "They will not go along with you this time."

"You still have much to learn, my young apprentice." Star Swirl said as they reached Sombra's room.

"Hello?" Sombra called from the other side as Star Swirl knocked.

"Sombra, it's Star Swirl." The Elder Unicorn said. "It's time to head to temple to see the council."

"Alright!" The colt said opening the door to follow the two Crystal Knights out of the palace.
> Chapter 17
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Sombra stood before the Council with a form crystal in front of him. Iron Steal held a note pad. On each page there was a different image.

"Ok Sombra for this test we want you to shape the crystal into that of what is drawn on the page." Strong Shield said.

"Sure." Sombra said as he was shown the first image, a cup. He fired up his horn and the crystal began to take on the form of a ship before shifting into that of a cup exactly as it was drawn. Iron Steal then flipped the page to revile that the next image was the ship that Sombra had stated to make be for the cup. The Minotaur put the note pad down and noded toward Star Swirl who smiled.

"Hmm... how feel you?" Rex asked.

"Cold, sir." The young colt said turning to face the Diamond Dog.

"Afraid are you?" The dog asked.

"No, sir." Sombra lied.

"See through you, we can."

"Be mindful of your feelings." Draco warned.

"Your thoughts dwell on your mother." Zoda stated.

"I miss her." Sombra admited.

"Afraid to lose her... I think, hmm?" Rex asked

"What's that got to do with anything?" The young unicorn asked a bit angrily. 

"Everything!" Zoda exclaimed. "Fear is the path to Chaos. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering." She explained. "I sense much fear in you."





King Emissarius stood, staring out the window of his quorters, with Wa-waush-ka'-ehe. The lights of the city shimmer before them.

"You thinking your people are going to die?" Wa-waush-ka'-ehe asked seeing the sad look on his face.

"I don't know." The king said saddly.

"Harts get hurt too, eh." The Deer said sadly.

"I hope not." The red earth pony said as he continued to stare out the window.

"Harts not dieing without a fight. We're warriors. We've got a grand army. That's why you guys don't like us so much, I think." Wa-waush-ka'-ehe explained.

Emissarius was about to say something when Princess Amidala and Captain Strong Sword rush into the room.

"Your Highness! Your Highness, Ambassador Adagio has disappeared." Captain Strong Sword exclaimed.

"What?!" King Emissarius asked.

"We've searched high and low but there's no sign of him." Amidala explained.

"That's not all. Though the senet agreed that help must be sent, few are willing to send troups to help deal with the federations army." Strong Sword said saddly.

"I was confident your "situation" would create a strong sympathy for your people. Lucky the Crystal Knights have agreed to send some of their best knights. My guards have the Trade Federation representatives in custody while the situation is sorted out." The Alicorn explained. "I think it safe if you stay here and allow the the troops that have volunteered to help to drive out the Federation do their job."

"Amidala, this is your kingdom, I feel I must return to mine." King Emissarius said sighing. "I've decided to go back to Neighboo."

"Go back!! But, Emissarius, be realistic! They'll force you to sign the treaty." Amidala said astonished.

"I will sign no treaty. My fate will be no different from that of my people." The red earth pony explained before turning to his royal guard. "Captain!"

"Your Highness?" Strong Sword said standing at attention.

"Ready my ship!" With that the king left the room followed by his guard and Wa-waush-ka'-ehe.





Sombra, Clover, and Star Swirl stood before the other members of The Council.

"His magic is strong as is the harmony with in him." Strong Shield said.

"He's to be trained, then?" Star Swirl asked as the Council members looked to one another.

"No." Draco said after a moment. "He will not be trained."

"No?" Star Swirl asked puzzled as Sombra looked at Draco, crestfallen.

"He is too old." Firefly explained.

"He is the chosen one... you must see it." Star Swirl said looking around the room.

"Clouded, this boy's future is." Zoda stated.

"I will train him, then. I take Sombra as my apprentice." Star Swirl said putting his hoof around Sombra as he looked up at him and Clover was surprised by the action. 

"An apprentice, you have, Star Swirl." Rex stated. "Impossible, to take on a second."

"The code forbids it." Jibril reminded him.

"Clover is ready-" The elder Unicorn started.

"I am ready to face the trials." Clover said speak for herself, knowing what her master was going to say.

"The council as a whole will decide who is ready." Iron Steal stated.

"Clover is headstrong and has much to learn of the flow of Harmony, but she is capable." Star Swirl vouched for her. "There is little more she can learn from me."

"Young Sombra's fate will be decided later." Hilda said dismissing the issue. 

"The Senate has voted to send aid to Neighboo and the Princesses have asked us to assist in the arrest of the Griffin Viceroy." Draco explained. "King Emissarius is returning home, which will put pressure on the Federation, and could widen the confrontation."

"And draw out the King's attacker." Firefly added.

"We have decided that you, Clover, Rex, Hilda, Iron Steal and Slithodyas will go with the King to Neighboo to discover the identity of the dark warrior. That is the clue we need to unravel this mystery of chaos." Strong Shield explained. "May Harmony guide you."
> Chapter 18
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Star Swirl, Clover, and Sombra stood on the landing platform outside the airship as the other Crystal Knights arived and borded the ship.

"It is not disrespect, Master, it is the truth." Clover said as they walked towards the airship.

"From your point of view." Star Swirl said a bit dismissively.

"The boy is dangerous... they all sense it. Why can't you?" The Unicorn mare asked.

"His fate is uncertain, he's not dangerous. The Council will decide Sombra's future... that should be enough for you. Now get on board!" The elder Unicorn said ending the conversation, gestering for her to get on the airship.

Clover sighed before reluctantly boarding the Neighboo Aircraft. Noticing that Sobra was listening to their conversation walked over to him.

"Master Star Swirl, sir, I don't want to be a problem." Sombra said unsure of himself

"You won't be." Star Swirl said reasuring him. "Now I'm not allowed to train you, so I want you to watch me and be mindful. Always remember, your focus determines your reality. Stay close to me and you will be safe."

"Master, sir... I heard Zoda talking about Magic Resonates. I've been wondering, what is Magic Resonates?" Sombra asked.

"Magic Resonates is an energy that reside within all living cells." The elder unicorn explained.

"An energy inside of me?" Sombra said not sure what that ment

"In your cells, yes. It's what alows us to use magic as well as the other races. Without Magic Resonates, life could not exist, and we would have no knowledge of Harmony. It continually speak to us, telling us the will of Harmony. When you learn to quiet your mind, you will hear it speaking to you." Star swirl explained.

"I don't understand." The young colt said unable to get his head around it.

"With time and training, you will." The elder Unicorn said rubbing Sombra's head as a chariot pulled up.

Captain Strong Sword, King Emissarius, his advisers and Wa-waush-ka'-ehe stopped before the Crystal Knight as they made their way to the Airship.

"Your Majesty, it is our pleasure to continue to serve and protect you." Star Swirl said bowing slightly.

"I welcome your help. Princess Amidala fears the Federation means to destroy me." The King explained

"I assure you, I will not let that happen." The Crystal Knight reasured as they entered the ship. 

"I'm finaly going home!" Wa-waush-ka'-ehe cheared before following everyone onto the airship followed by Sombra.





The Griffin Viceroy and and his assistant stood before a hologram of the Siren who did not look pleased.

"Is the kingdom secure?" The Siren asked

"We have taken over the last pockets of primitive life forms." The brown griffin explained "We are in complete control of the kingdom now."

"Good." The Sirin said, her deminer changing a bit. "I have see to it that what help the Senate is sending is delayed." She said before pausing. Also my sisters and I will be ariving soon to join you."

"Yes, of course." The Griffin Viceroy said as the hologram faded.

"The Sirens here?!!" The assistant said woriedly.





The Kings advisers stood behind King Emissarius as he talked with Star Swirl and Captian Strong Sword as Wa-waush-ka'-ehe watch with Clover and the other Crystal Knights.

"As soon as we land the Federation will arrest you, and force you to sign the treaty." Strong Sword explained.

"I agree... I'm not sure what you wish to accomplish by this." Star Swirl said shacking his head.

"I will take back what's ours." Emissarius stated.

"The troops from the other kingdoms won't arrive for quite along time. There are too few of us, Your Highness. We have no army." The royal guard captian explained.

"And we can only protect you. Not fight a war for you." Star Swirl said refering to himself and the rest of the Crystal Kinghts.

"Wa-waush-ka'-ehe!" The red Earthpony said looking over at him.

"Me Your Highness?" The Deer asked looking around, puzzled.

"Yes. I need your help." The king said smilling.
> Chapter 19
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The Neighboo airship headed toward the lush green island. Only one Federation battleship was currently passing by their path.

"Ony one battleship?" The captain said a little confused

"It's a droid control ship. the rest must be patrolling somewhere else." Clover stated.

"They've probably spotted us." Strong Sword said as they flew over it.

"We haven't much time." Star Swirl said as the airship started to move faster.





The Neighboo airship landed in the forest a short distance from Hart City and everyone stepped out of the ship for some fresh air. Wa-waush-ka'-ehe ran off as Clover approached Star Swirl.

"Wa-waush-ka'-ehe is on his way to the Hart city, Master." Clover said standing beside her master.

"Good." Star Swirl said, his thoughts elsewhere.

"Do you think the King's idea will work?" The young Unicorn mare asked.

"The Harts will not easily be swayed." The elder Unicorn said looking in the direction of the city. "And we cannot use our power to help him." He said cutting clover when she opened her mouth. 

"I'm... I'm sorry for my behavior earlier, Master." Clover said after a moment "It is not my place to disagree with you about the Sombra... and I am grateful you think I am ready to take the trials."

"You've been a good apprentice, Clover." Star Swirl said sighing. "And at times you're much wiser than I am. I foresee you will become a great Crystal Knight."





Wa-waush-ka'-ehe walked up the stars that lead to Hart City and over to Strong Sword, Star Swirl, and Clover.

"Their nobody there. The entire city is deserted." Wa-waush-ka'-ehe said worriedly. "Looks like some kind of fight, I think."

"Do you think they have been taken to camps?" Clover asked.

"I don't think so." The deer said shaking his head.

"Do you know where they are?" Star Swirl asked.

"Well, when in trouble, Harts go to sacred place." Wa-waush-ka'-ehe explained. "C'mon, I'll show you."





King Emissarius, his advisers, Sombra, Strong Sword, Star Swirl, Clover and the rest of the Crystal Knights followed Wa-waush-ka'-ehe as he made his way through the forest.

"Halt!" A stag said coming out from behind a tree casing the group to stop. "Wa-waush-ka'-ehe, why have you brought these ponies here?" the stag asked.

"I am King Emissarius of Neighboo." Emissarius said stepping forward. "I seek an audience with your leader."

"Hmm." The Stag pondered for a moment. "Alight." He said before leading them to a clearing full of Harts.

At the far end of the clearing were the ruins of a grand temple with large pillars. The deer elder and his council walked out of the temple.

"You Honor, King Emissarius of the Neighboo." The Stag guard said anunsing the groups arrival.

"A-Aanii, Ogimaa, You Honor." Wa-waush-ka'-ehe greeted nervusly.

"Wa-waush-ka'-ehe, why are you with these ponies?" The elder deer asked as the King stepped forwared.

"I am King Emissarius of the Neighboo.... I come before you in peace." The king said introducing himself.

"Ah, Neighboo Chiahyaog." Ogimaa said a little angrily. "You're the reason the mechanical beings attacked our home. You are nothing but bad news."

Captain Strong Sword and the half dozen guards as well as Sombra and the Crystal Knights look around nervously, as the stag guards lowered their long spears.

"We have searched you out because we wish to form an alliance-" Emissarius began before being interrupted when Puledro walked in front of him.

"Your Honor." Puledro stated getting Ogimaa attention.

"Who are you?" The deer elder said annoyed.

"I am King Emissarius." The young adviser stated, stunning everyone but Stong Sword and the Crystal Knights bar Clover.

"This is my decoy... my protection... my loyal bodyguard. I am sorry for my deception, but it was necessary to protect myself." Puledro explained gesturing to the false king. "Although we do not always agree, Your Honor, our two great societies have always lived in peace. The Griffin Trade Federation has destroyed all that we have worked so hard to build. If we do not act quickly, all will be lost forever... I ask you to help us... No!" He said dropping down to his front knees. "I beg you to help us. We are your humble servants..." the King said to everyponys suprise. "Our fate is in your hooves."

Slowly, Captain Strong Sword and his troops bow down before the Hart council. Then the kings Advisers, Sombra, and finally the Crystal Knights also dropped to their front knees. 

"HA!" Ogimaa laughed. "Hahahahahahahaha. You don't think you're greater than us Harts?!" Ogimaa asked happily. "I like is! Maybe we can be friends." The elder deer said causing  Puledro and the others start to smile and laugh at the situation.





The griffin Viceroy walked down one of the long hallways of the Neighboo palace beside the cloaked Siren, Aria Blaze and a light blue earthpony with a two toned blue main put into a ponytail and a cutie mark of a music note in front of a heart.

"We have sent out patrols. We've already located their airship in the forest... It won't be long." The Viceroy said reporting on the situation.

"This is an unexpected move for him." The cloaked Siren said thinking. "It's too aggressive. Aria, Sonata we should be mindful abd let them make the first move."

"I agree." Sonata Dusk agreed.





A stag sat on top of a hill, searching the landscape with a crystal telescope.

"They're coming!" The stag yelled to Sombra who was at the foot of the hill after seeing something coming to wards them.

"All right." Sombra cheered as he ran over to where Puledro and the Crystal Knights, were discussing a battle plan with five of the Hart Warriors. "They're here!" Sombra said when they were in ear shot.

"Good, they made it." Puledro said as the patrols they sent out to free some of the prison camps returned, their crystal transports pulling up to the group.

"You did great Wa-waush-ka'-ehe. Bringing us and the Neighboo together." Ogimaa said putting his foreleg around him.

"Oh, no, no, no." Wa-waush-ka'-ehe said humbly.

"So." Elder deer continued. "I've decided to make you our Combat General."

"General??!" The younger deer asked as he just stood there stunned as Ogimaa laughed and walked over to where Strong Sword was talking with the others.

"So what is the situation?" The king asked.

"Almost everypony's in camps, but a few hundred of the police and guards have formed an underground resistance movement. I brought back as many of the leaders as I could." The royal guard captain reported pointing to the locations of the camps a map of the kingdom that was set up on a table. "The Federations army' also much larger than we thought, and much stronger. Your Highness, this is a battle I do not think we can win unless the help the senate is sending arrives soon."

"The battle is a diversion." Puledro Emissarius explained. "The Harts must draw the Crystal Droid Army away from the cities." he said before putting a map of the capital city on the table. "We can then enter the capital using secret passages on the waterfall side. Once we get to the main entrance, Captain Strong Sword will create a diversion. Then we can enter the palace and capture the Viceroy. Without the Viceroy, they will be lost and confused." The red earthpony finished. "What do you think, Master Knight?" He asked looking at Star Swirl.

"It's a good plan but the Viceroy will be well guarded." The elder Unicorn said thinking.

"The difficult part will be getting into the throne room. But once we're inside, we shouldn't have a problem." Strong Sword assured.

"There is a possibility, with this diversion many, Harts will be killed." Clover said looking over at the Deer.

"We are ready to do our part." Ogimaa said proudly.

"We do have a plan which should immobilize the Droid Army." Puledro said going back to the map of the kingdom. "We will send what fighters can to knock out the Droid control ship patrolling the island."

"A well-conceived plan. However, there's great risk." Starswirl said finished with his thought. "If the ship's shielded, the weapons on your fighters may not be able to penetrate it."

"And there's an even bigger danger." Clover picked up. "If the Viceroy escapes, Your Highness, he will return with another droid army."

"Well that is why we must not fail to get to the Viceroy. Everything depends on it." The king said putting the maps away as everyone prepared for the assault.
> Chapter 20
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The griffin Viceroy and his assistent as well as the three Sirens walked into the throne room.

"We have our scouts have reported that the king has managed to amass a small army." The Viceroy reported. "We're sending more troops to meet it. It appears to be made up of primitives."

"He is more foolish than I thought." The cloaked Siren stated. "This might work to our advantage."

"I have your approval to proceed then?" The Brown and white griffin asked.

"Exterminate them... all of them." The Siren said smilling evily.





All was peaceful when suddenly there is a disturbance as a deep war horn blared and Hart soldier emerges from the fog, followed by several others. A few of the soldiers lead huge, ursa miners with large crystal shield generators mounted on their backs following the marching warriors. The Hart army headed out of the forest and onto the rolling grassy hills. Hundreds of Hart warriors marched in long lines toward the horizon.

"Halt!" One of the stag generals ordered as crystal droid cariers and tanks moved over the ridge to wards them. "Start up the shield!"

A red ray shot out of the large crystals on the back of the ursa miners and spreads like an umbrella over the assembled warriors. The Federation tanks moved into range and stopped.

"Open fire!" A Crystal Griffin Droid ordered before the Federation tanks fired upon the Hart army hitting thier shields.





Puledro, the Crystal Knights and Sombra, stealthily makes their way toward the entrance to the main hanger. They are followed by twenty guards, and pilots. They stopped, and Puledro used a small red light crystal to signal across the plaza to Captain Strong Sword and twenty other assorted guards who signaled back.

"Sombra." Star Swirl said out of earshot of the other Knights. "Once we get inside, I want you find a safe place to hide and stay there."

"Sure." Sombra said off handedly.

"Stay there!" The elder stated firmly.

The crystal droid troops milled about the tank-filled plaza. Sudenly an explotion erupted at the far end of the plaza and several droids began to run and fire as the Neighboo toops fired back. As the ruckus erupted at one end of the plaza, Puledro, his troops and the Crystal Knights rushed into the main hanger. Captain Strong Sword and his soldiers continued to engage the droids outside.





The griffin Viceroy and his assistent looked out of a large window, watching the small battle in the plaza below.

"I thought the battle was going to take place far from here." The Viceroy said as a tank exploaded. "This is too close!"





Puledro and co. berst into the main hanger and were instently met with fire from a large group of crystal battle droids.

"Sombra, find cover, quick!" Star Swirl ordered as he and the other Knights activated their crystal sabers, deflecting the magic bolts.

Sombra proseaded to hide behind one of the many crystal powered aircraft, ducking as large magic bolts whiz past and explode near him causing the grill to fall off a ventalation shaft. See it as better cover the young colt climed inside as Puledro and his troops continued to destroy the battle droids right and left alongside the Crystal Knights.

"Get to your fighters!" The king ordered as the pilots rushed to the aircrafts, each begining to levitate out of the hanger as the pilot sat down.





The fighters quickly few over the landscape and past the shore line towards the droid control ship.

"Drioids straight ahead." The lead Fighter said into a comunication crystal as Griffin shaped Droids flew towards them.

"Roger, that." The other fighters said as they engaged the enemy.





The Federation Tanks continued to fire on the Harts, but where un able to penatrate the sheild.

"Cease fire!" Crystal Griffin Droid ordered, stoping the pointless effert.

"Steady, steady." Wa-waush-ka'-ehe said as some of the troops became uneasy.

The Harts continued to wait as they watch the doors to the massive transports open, and racks of battle droids are pulled out and lined up. The Harts got ready for the attack by loading large crystal energy balls given to them by the Neighboo into thier catapults.





Meanwhile, the battle raged on around the droid control ship. From inside a brown earth pony watched the battle.

"Activate the droids." The earth pony ordered.

"Yes, sir!" A pink pegasus said pressing a button which sent a signal to the battle droids on the island.





Receiving the signal the battle droieds reconfigured into their standing positions, turning and aim their weapons at the Hart warriors.

"Here they come." Wa-waush-ka'-ehe said as the the battle droids marched toward them.

The droids slowly marched through the protective shield and began firing at the Harts.

"Fire!" Wa-waush-ka'-ehe ordered before the catapults fling the crystal energy balls which fly through the air, along with smaller ones lanched from the deers antlers.

The crystal balls all explode on inpact sending shock waves of energy disabling some of the droids. However more droids made it through the shield and contiued their assalt on the Hart warriors. 





The king and his troops along with the Crystal knights took out the last of the battle droids before regrouping in the center of the hanger.

"If I had to guess I'd say the Viceroy is in the throne room." Puledro said looking at Star Swirl who agreed. "This way." He said as he began to lead eveyone to wards the palace entraince.

"Hey! Wait for me." Sombra called pocking his head out of the vent when he saw everyone leaving.

"Sombra, stay where you are. You'll be safe there." Star Swirl ordered.

"But, I-" The young colt started before being cut off.

"Stay in that vent." The elder unicorn said sternly as Sombra noded before crawling back into the vent.

The group continued towards the exit but stoped when the door suddenly opened, revealing the three sirens.

"You know I thought this would be simple." The cloaked siren said in a famiure voice.

"No it can't be." Puledro said recognizing her voice.

"My sister and I sow the seeds of chaos into this small kingdom, that we could feed off of and spread our influense across Equestria. But those stupid princesses just had to get you Knights involved." The Siren said pulling her hood back to reveal her self as Adagio Dazzle.

"So that's why the Senat went along with the Federations blockade of the kingdom." Clover said after thinking about it.

"We'll handle this your highness." Star Swirl said as he and the other Cystal Knights steped forward.

"We'll take the long way." The king said as he and his troops begain walking towards another door.

"You'll handle us?" Adagio laughed. "We'll see about that." She said as she and her sisters removed their coaks, the Knights doing the same.

The sirens and the Crysatl Knights activated their crysal sabers and began to fight, the sirens dodging the knights attacks and countering with their own which the kightsbearly manage to block, as Puledro and his troops exited into a palace hallway. 





Back at the battle field half, a dozen unicorn droids ran toward the battle. Running through the shields before firing bolts of magic at the near by deer.

Not looking where he's going Wa-waush-ka'-ehe acidently steps on a disembodied griffen droid arm, still cluching it's crystal weapon, causing it to fire randomly, blasting several droids in one process.

The Hearts blast the unicorn droids with crystal energy balls, destroying many of them but more droids take their place and blast many of the hearts.





The Cystal Knigets contined their fierce fight with the Sirens. Sparks showered all around as all maner of spells, and other abilties were used to by the knights to subdue the Sirens as they have moved into the center of the hanger. The three Sirens's moves were incredibly fast and they managed to fight all six kights at once, flipping into the air, outmaneuvering them at every turn and driving them out of the hanger and into the power generator area next door.





The Neighboo fighters atempt to attack the Federation battleship but none of their attacks make it to the hull as they are exorbed by its shield. 

"Their shield is too strong." One of the pilots said before being hit by one of the griffin droids and crashing into the ocean.





Puledro and his troops ran down one of the hall ways of the palace when they were ment with a large group of droids and where forced into a fire fight. 

"We don't have time for this!" The King exlaimed as he fired at the droids before noticing that one of the near by candle sticks on the wall was slightly diffrent then the others. "This way!" He ordered as he pulled the the candle stick down to reveal a hidden sevents passage way.

One by one the kings and his troops fled into to narrow passage way. Some of them stayed be hind to cover their escape.

"This passage should take us close to the throne room." Puledro explained to his troops as they made their way through the passage way.





No match for the unicorn droids the Hart army begins to retreat. One of the unicorn droids blasts one of the shield generators, causing them to explode and the ursas to run off. With the protective shield gone the tanks entered the battle. The harts fled as fast as they could.

Thinking quickly Wa-waush-ka'-ehe opened the back of a cart full of large crystal energy balls which roll down the hill disabling any droids they hit. The Harts try to renew their attack on the droid army as the crystal energy balls destroy several more battle droids and tanks but it's not enough and the droids soon overwhelm.





All was quiet in the upper hallway as a section of wall moved away and Puledro and his troops walked out of the secret passage and head for the throne room. Suddenly, two unicorn droids run in front of them blocking their path. The king turned around and sees two more appear at the far end of the hallway, trapping them in the middle.

"Throw down your weapons. They win this round." Puledro ordered as he and his troops put their weapons on the ground.

"Uh oh. Not good." Sombra said, watching from a near by vent as a half dozen more battle droids come up behind them.





Nine sabers crossed in an intense display of swordsmanship as the Crystal Knights and Sirens fight their way across the narrow bridge between the crystal power generators.

"Fos Ro Dah!"  shouted, using his Thu'um in an atempt to knock the Sirens back but only suck seading on knocking his fellow knights off the platform and onto a lower one. "Oops!" He said when he reized he know had to face the sirens alone.

Repeating his actions the drake managed to knock the the sirens onto the platform the others were on. Flaping his wings the drake landed hard on a ramp where the others were in gaged with the Sirens. 

The Crystal knights begain to gain the uper hand driving the sisters back along the catwalk into a long small corador. The Chaos lords taugnt the knighs as they retreat down the corador followed by Slithodyas, who runs after them, braking from the group.

"No wait it's a trap!" Star Swirl yelled runing after him.

It was too late however. As Slithodyas chased the Sirens into a dead end room with a larger energy crystal in the middle, the sirens fired up their horns and a seires of sheilds went up blocking the other knights from helping.

Slithodyas and the Sirens battle around the energy crystal as Star Swirl watched, frustrated that he was unable to do anything. Sudenly as the Drake blocked two of the sirens with his tail and saber, the third on caught him off guard stabs her crystal saber through his mid-section.

"Noooo!" Star Swirl Screamed as he watched his friend slump to the floor in a heap.





The Harts had been overrun. Some fled into the hills, chased by battle droids. Many others were herded into groups. Wa-waush-ka'-ehe was held in a small group with other officers.

"Don't give up guys. We can think of someting." Wa-waush-ka'-ehe said trying to come up with a plan.

"Hooves up!" A griffin droied ordered pointing it's weapon at them.

"We give up. We give up." One of the Harts said cowering as Wa-waush-ka'-ehe face hoofed shaking his head in shame.





Puledro and his officers were lead into the throne room and brought before the Griffin Viceroy and his assistent.

"Your little insurrection is at an end, Your Highness. Time for you to sign the treaty... and end this pointless debate in the Senate." The griffin said picking up a large scrole off a desk.

Suddenly a second Puledro appears in the doorway with Captain Strong Sword and several troops.

"Viceroy, your occupation here has ended!" The second Puledro said blasting one of the droids with his crystal weapon before bolting down the hall way.

"After him! This one is a decoy!" The Viceroy ordered relising he'd been had.

Six of the droids rush out of the throne room after the second king. Puledro slumps down on his throne and immediately hits a security button opening a hidden compartment filled with crystal weapons. The king grabbed two of them, and tossed them to his officers. He then took a third weapon as his troops blasted the last of the battle droids.

"Not So Fast!" Sombra Said jumping out of a near by vent, pointing a sword he'd found at the Griffin Viceroy, blocking his path to the door as he tryed to excape.

"Jam the doors!" The King ordered as one of his officers rushed pased Sombra and closed it, moving a large desk in frount of it.

"Now, Viceroy, we will discuss a new treaty." The king said as Sombra poked the griffin with the sword.





The Sirens sheild broke as Star Swirl let out strong bust of magic from his horn and began attacking the Sirens. The Elder Unicorn was relentless in his assault on the Chaos Lords. Firing bolt afte bolt of magic as well as slashing at them with his Crystal Saber, the Star Swirl had finaly managed to disarm the sirens of their Crystal Sabers.

"Stand down!" The Crystal Knight ordered only to have the three sisters laugh at him.

The Sirens continused to laugh as they slowly began to levitat into the air.

"Do you honestly belive you can beat us?" Aria Blaze asked. "The battle for this pitiful kingdom has brought more chaos then we could ever hope! And the more they fight the more power we reasive!" She said as their was a flash of light and the three sirnes changed into their true forms.

The Sirens circled around Star Swirl and atacked so fat he was unable to defend himslef, falling to his knees. The Sirens smiled as they went in for the kill. At the last moment, however, Star Swirl gathers as much magic as he could within his horn and fireed it hitting the energy crystal causing it to glow in bright light as it changed into a floting silver mirror.

At first nothing happened but then there was a huge gust of wind as the mirror started to spin and suck the sirens into it causing them to disapear one by one.

"No!" Adagio yelled as she tried to fight the pull of the mirror. "This isn't over! We Will Have Our Revenge!" She vowed before being sucked in.

Star Swirl sighed trying to catch his breath as his horn went out and the the strange mirror fell to the floor with out braking.





The pilots continued to race around trying to hit the droid controle ship with out getting hit themselves. Suddenly a huge blast of energy hit the ship causing an explotion.

"What was that?!" One of the pilots asked seeing that parts of the ship were now on fire.

"We didn't hit it." The lead pilot stated.

"This is Captain Que of the SS Titan of the Draconequus Kingdom." A new voice said over their comunication crystals. "We have the reinforcements sent by the senate with us. Sorry we're late." He said as four dozen fighters and eight battleships joined the battle.

The battleships fired all at one and hit the side of the Federation ship.





"What was that?" The brow earth pony asked as another explotion rocked the controle ship.

"Sir, we have fires on decks 6 through 10!" The pink pegasus reported.

"Impossible!! Nothing can get through our shield!" The earth pony exclaimed

"Sir! I have eight battle ships on my radar. The Neighboo have reinforcements!" The pegasus explained before the ship exploded.





All the pilots start to cheer and laugh as the droid controle ship exploded and what was left sank to the bottom of the ocean.

"This is the SS Titan. Mission acomplished. Heading towards the island now to help with the ground assult." Captain Que reported. 





Wa-waush-ka'-ehe and the remaing Hart warriors were kneeling, waiting to be exacuted, when suddenly all of the droids began to shake before freazing and falling over. The Harts carefully moved out to inspect the frozen droids.

"What are they doin?" One of the Harts asked.

"The control ship has been destroyed. Look!" Wa-waush-ka'-ehe said as he pushed one over.

"they're all broken." The Hart said as he two pushed one over.

All the Harts cheered in victory as they pushed the crystal droids over.





Catching his breath Star Swirl rushed over to the dying body of Slithadius.

"It is too late... It's..." The Dake said as Star Swirl lifted his head.

"No!" Star Swirl said looking around for help but the other knights where still stuck behind the sirens sheld.

"Star Swirl promise... promise me you'll train the boy." Slivadius said in regad breths.

"Yes, of course, my old friend..." The elder unicorn weeped.

"He is the chosen one... he will... bring Harmony... I have seen it... train him!" The Drake said recounting what his dragon eyes reviled to him in his moments of death.

With those final worlds the The Crystal Knight master died. Star Swirl cradled his friends head, as the other Knighs finaly made it through the shields, some of them going over to examin the stange mirror.
> Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A large airship landed in the courtyard of the main hanger as Captain Strong Sword and twenty guards escorted The Griffin Viceroy and his assistent out of the palace towards where the Crystal Knights and, the king, were standing.

"Now, Viceroy, you are going to have to go back to the Senate and explain all this." The king said as the main ramp of the airship lowered.

The Crystal Knights and Strong Sword lead the Griffins toward the ship as Princess Celestia, Luna and Amidala as well as The leaders of the countries that sent help, descend the walkway, followed by the remaining members of the Crystal Knights Council.

"You have done well, Master Star Swirl." Celestia said as they arived at the group of knights.

"And you, young Sombra." Luna said looking down at the unicorn colt.

"We will watch your career with great interest." The Leader of the Draconequusi said a dark smile streaching across his face.

"Congratulations on your victory Emissarius." Amidala greeted. "Your boldness has saved your people, Your Majesty."

"It is the Harts who should be congratulated. Together we shall work together rebuild our kingdom and make it stronger." The red earthpony explaned.





The sun streamed into a multi-windowed room at a low angle, as the sun slowly begain to set. Rex paced in fount of Star Swirl and Clover, who were sitting in the center of the room.

"Confer on you, the level of Crystal Knight the Council does." Rex said looking at Clover. "But agree on you taking this colt as your aprentice, I do not." The Diamond Dog said pointing one of his fingers at the elder unicorn.

"Slithodyas believed in him." Star Swirl stated.

"The Chosen One he may be; nevertheless, grave danger I fear in his training." Rex warrned.

"Master Rex, I gave the boy my word. I will train him. Without the approval of the rest of the Council if I must." The elder unicorn said stamping his hoof.

"Agree with you, the rest of the council does." Rex said with a sigh. "Your apprentice, Sombra will be."





Slithodyas' body was plased on a bed of hot coals and slowly went up in flames as the Crystal Knights, the King, Captain Strong Sword, the kings advisers, The Prnicesses, Sombra, Wa-waush-ka'-ehe, Ogimaa, and the other political leaders watched in silence.

"What will happen now?" Sombra asked looking up at Star Swirl.

"The Council has granted me permission to train you." The elder unicorn said looking down at him. "You will be a Knight, I promise."

"There's no doubt that the Sirens were Chaos Beings." Draco said looking over at Rex as the flames from the funeral fire mixed with Slithodyas' inner flame turning a deep green.

"More then one there always are." Rex nodded. "A parent and their children."

"But which were destroyed?" The Drke asked. "The parent or just the children and what role will Star Swirls mirror play in events to come?"

The two knights give each other concerned looks as the Draconequus leader glared at them from the corner of the room.





The main road leading to the palace was decorated brightly with flowers and streamers as the Harts paraded down the road. Foals sang and threw flowers on the passing Hart soldiers as the crowds cheered. King Emissarius stood next to the Princesses, Sombra, Star Swirl and the Crystal Council on the steps of the palace. Leading the parade were Ogimaa, the other members of the Harts high council and Wa-waush-ka'-ehe. Asending the steps, they stop before the king before standing by her side. The king wrote his signature on a treaty followed by Ogimaa. The King then placed a neclace of peace around the elder deers neck.

"Peace!" Ogimaa Yelled happily over the crowd placing a hoof on it.

Everyone cheered as the parade marched on. Peace had been restored and a new friendship had been made. Yet the shadow of chaos had yet to be lifted.