The Travelling Argument

While the rest of the group waited for Willow, Sky and Maboo to return, Star had been reassuring Tex that her sister would be okay and they could still save her. He was skeptical at best, and was willing to charge in and save her himself if he had to.

"Tex, please stay. The Diamond Dogs may not look much, but when they get going they're unstoppable. Trying to do it by yourself will just get you killed, and your sister will still be with those nasty creatures. Do you want that?" asked Star.

Tex shivered. "N-no but... I just don't know if I can wait any longer knowing that they could kill her any moment. I am a dragon... I could take a hit or two, right?" He felt a spike of pain in his broken scales and a tear escaped his eye. "Aw, who am I kidding. I am still too young."

"Don't worry, dear. One day you'll be big and strong and those dogs will be cowering from you. They'll plead for mercy, then you'll pretend to think about it and say 'no' before incinerating them. Won't that be fun?"

"You can do that, Star? I guess magic can be useful!" said Evening.

Star smiled brightly. "Of course it can! There wouldn't be a school for it if there wasn't any use for it."

"Well, up until last week, I was told that spell were the crutch of weaker unicorns."

"Darling, those unicorns trained under your master are using spells in themselves when they augment their strength or speed. Spells used in different ways, but spells nonetheless."

Evening frowned. "It's one of the many lies I'm finding out."

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned... I'm sure that she only wanted the best for you. She would not waste such hard work training you only to toss you away, right?"

Willow had gotten back to the group and overheard the conversation going on. "Star Swirl... her master sent her on a suicide mission. And it would have worked if we hadn't been there to help."

"By the Sisters... I am so sorry," Star's frown turned into a scowl. "If I ever get my magic on her."

"The feeling is mutual, Star. That mare has spent too long creating weapons instead of the heroes she promised."

"No, you can't!" exclaimed Evening. "She would tear you apart before you even saw her."

"That's my job, and I'll be darned if I let anyone take it from me," said Swift. "We should have left already. Tex, can you give us an idea of which direction they're headed?"

"North," answered Tex. "Their tunnels should be a few hours north near... or under an abandoned factory, if my eavesdropping on some of my dad's conversations is correct."

"A factory? They'll have the advantage. Too bad that smith said my new weapon won't be ready for another day or two," said Evening.

"Um... would a big sword work?"

"Sorry, I'm no good with swords. Spears and staves are my specialty I'm afraid."

Tex scratched his head. "Spears... hmm. Would that perhaps be a long stick with a blade on the end?"

Evening looked at the little dragon curiously. "It is. Why?"

"Uh... different dragons harness different powers, and I, uh," Tex coughed out a flame, and a nice looking halberd appeared and dropped to the ground. "I can consume things and bring them back later... I thought that thing looked cool, so I took it. From my father that is, not stealing."

"That... that was inside of you? I... I'll be right back," Evening ran over to a nearby bush and emptied the contents of her stomach into it.

"Evening, you might be able to check the weapon shop for your new staff," said Swift. "The mare said 'come back in a day or two.' That means it might be ready today. No harm in checking, right?"

Evening suddenly looked up in excitement. "You think it might be done? Can I go check now?"

"Are there any objections to this course of action? No? Then go."

"I want to go! I want to see what she was able to do!" Evening excitedly took off towards the weapon shop. She burst through the door and ran up to the front desk.

"Hey, warrior mare! What can I do for you?" asked the owner.

"Is it done? Is it?"

"Ah yes! One adamantium staff, coming right up," The owner walked into the back of the shop and brought back a nicely cut shiny metal staff, almost identical to Evening's old one. "All yours, kiddo. You take care of that, you hear?"

Evening looked took the staff in awe, practically worshiping it. "It's beautiful... I will cherish this forever. Thank you so much."

"Anything for a great warrior such as yourself. Now get out of here, you're making me get all sappy."

"Everypony will know of your skill!" Evening ran back to the group, twirling her new staff overhead. She got to them as they were preparing to set out. "I'm back! When are we going?"

"As soon as Maboo and Sky Runner get back," said Swift.

Tex walked up to Swift with a red crystal in his hand. "So, you are going to help? Thank you! I... I can't thank you enough, but," he looked at the crystal and held it forward. "I want you to have this, it will mean more to you than it does to me."

Swift eyed the crystal curiously. "I'm not exactly one for vanity items, but... what is it? Apart from being a crystal."

"It's," Tex looked around making sure everypony else was out of earshot, then began to whisper. "The last remnant of Trottingham. It was the item that the cult wanted. My father had it, and I took it. Apparently it has some... power, but nobody's ever figured it out and they quit trying pretty quick," Tex cleared his throat and spoke normally. "Yeah, it's a pretty crystal."

Swift suspiciously took the crystal in her hooves. "Thank you, I suppose? Now, we'd best get going. Your sister's rescue has already been delayed one day. I'd hate to see it delayed again. Everybody ready?"

"Yes! Gem, here I... err... we come!"

Valhalla looked over at Swift and noticed the crystal. "Wait a moment. Is that red crystal?"

Tex looked at him in surprise. "Uh, well, it is a red colored crystal yes, but it certainly isn't any sort of rare crystal that is only spoken of in fairy tales... if that is what you mean."

"Well red crystal is in some form rare. It used to be much more common hundreds of years ago. One thing is for certain, red crystal is nothing to be tampered with, it is one of the utmost evil magics in Equestria. You are lucky it doesn't seem to be active. Do not break it especially."

"But... not all of them were bad. Some were used to create a life force for sustenance. I guess it was user dependent or something. My father is a gem lord, so I figured out a little bit from my eavesdropping habit."

"True, it was somewhat user dependent, but held in use for too long and it will corrupt your mind. They hold too much power to be taken lightly."

Evening began to take interest in the crystal. "Ooh, you have one of the red ones? Master has three in her helmet. Lucky."

"Three of them at once?!" exclaimed Star. "No wonder she did what she did, the mare would have gone insane getting near them!"

"But she isn't-" Evening paused and sighed. "Is that the cost of the power she has? Then why was she afraid of me?"

"Maybe you are special," suggested Valhalla. "Red crystal does not affect all ponies, you might be one of them with that special ability, rare enough as it is."

Evening shook her head. "I won't risk it. You all make it sound like dangerous magic. I'll stick to my safe battle magic because I understand it."

"Nah, magic is in the claws, or horn, or... whatever it is that Valhalla has," said Tex. "Anyway, magic is in the eye of the beholder. My father always said it with claw, but... you get the point. You do get the point right?"

Evening tilted her head. "Not really. If my master was influenced by those gems... what's to say I won't be?"

"Well, you seem to have your heart and mind in the right place. I don't know about your trainer... master... pony, but perhaps she isn't as good of a pony as she seems. A small amount of tainted thoughts can manifest with the right circumstances... ah but what do I know? I'm still too young of a dragon."

Maboo then came bouncing back to the group finally. "Hey guys! Sky's back with us, as long as Swift doesn't go killing any more ponies, but that shouldn't be a problem anymore. So, what's new with you?"

"Tex gave Swift a red crystal which was from the remains of Trottingham and it may or may not be the doom of us all, so we're trying to figure out what to do with it, more or less anyway," said Valhalla.

Maboo gaped at him. "Wow. Throw it into a volcano."

"Whoa, wait, I didn't say where it was from to anypony but Swift," said Tex. "Also, you may not want to mention that factor too loud. And I say you do nothing with it until after Gem is rescued... but that's my opinion."

"Sorry if I said it too loud," said Valhalla. "My ears are keen on picking up secrets easily, as the life of a traveler has made them. Combine that with what I already know of either of you two it wasn't so hard to piece together in the first place."

"So Sky's coming back? That's great news!" said Evening. "And I think Swift should keep the crystal. It was a gift from Tex."

"I feel it would be best put under Valhalla's care," said Star. "He seems to know the most about it, and knowledge is the greatest weapon we have against it thus far."

"Good idea! You're pretty smart, Star," Evening looked around and noticed that Willow had disappeared again and Sky was nowhere in sight. "Hey, Maboo... where are Willow and Sky?"

Maboo looked around curiously. "They're probably still talking. I'm sure they'll come along shortly."

Tex cleared his throat to get the attention back on him. "Anyway, I'm sure my sister knows more about that crystal than Valhalla. I can assure you, nothing bad will happen. Either the crystal is magically sealed or it is drained. That's what my sister told me anyway."

"A drained red crystal? Well that's certainly fascinating, they don't become drained easily," said Valhalla.

Evening continued to look around anxiously. "I hate to be the one to say it, but, maybe we should go on ahead. Willow knows where we are going, and they can catch up."

Maboo frowned. "Well... I don't like the idea of leaving them behind, so I'm gonna stay here and wait for them. Valhalla can go with you."

"Uh... okay," said Valhalla. He checked his saddle-bag to make sure his things were packed comfortably. "I am ready. Shall we go?"