Equestria Girls: A Black Rose by any Name

A Black Rose by any Name...

Chapter 6: Crystal Clear

Spike wondered the streets of Canterlot looking for a gift to get Rarity after Twilight Sparkle gave him a few Bits to spend but he wasn't sure what to get her since everything in Canterlot was quite pricey specially gift wise items, he looked at the window seeing a dress that Rarity would love to get her hooves on but he saw the price tag seeing it was 30 Bits and all he had was 12 Bits, he sighed and walked away holding the bag of coins with a groan.

Spike looked at another few places coming short every time for something for Rarity “Why does everything have to be so expensive for the things Rarity likes...” he sighed heavily.

“Thank you kind sir, I hope that Sapphire Crystal Star come in hoof for your daughters birthday” Spike turn to a cart seeing a few ponies walking away from it.

“It will ma'am thank you for offering them at good value” the stallion said polite back to her

The black mare unicorn Spike saw was shimmering like a crystal pony but he never saw a crystal pony that was a unicorn, but for sure she was with the sparkling coat and white mane and tail he saw all the assortments of crystals from rubies to topaz. “Whoa...” he eyes was wide as dinner plates even his slit eyes was round staring at all the sparking gems and crystals

The crystal pony unicorn smiled looking down at the little purple dragon “Well isn't this a surprise, the hero of the Crystal Empire” she beamed “How can I help you today Spike?”

“Wow you even know my name!” He saw the assortment of gems and knew Rarity would like them. “What is your name?”

“Oh my name is White Rose little friend and I am guessing from the stare your going to ask about my horn?” she tap his snout with her hoof.

Spike rubbed his head a little “Hehe yeah I was... I thought all Crystal Ponies was earth ponies”

White Rose nods “Indeed they are, I am the only one unless you count my twin sister...” she turn her eyes away “Anyway I usually hide my horn just to fit in since the return of the Crystal Empire, having a horn remind them of King Sombra...” White Rose shows him her magic and it disappears from view.

“Whoa, you can make your horn invisible?”

“Indeed” White Rose laughed softly “Oh and on the house have this crystal white rose, it one of my little talents, I can make things out of crystals with my magic” she pulled out a small box and open it showing the rose crystal inside it.

Spike gasped at it “Fo-for free!?”

“Yes for the hero of the Crystal Empire, now what can I sell for you today?” she put a hoof out to the selection of crystals and gems “I can also for a few Bits extra make something for you in mere seconds” White Rose horn reappeared and she was giving him a warm smile.

Spike notice a box in the mix of open jewels “What inside that one?” Spike pointed to it.

White Rose took it off the shelf with her magic “Not quite sure, truth be told... it came out of a strange glowing portal when I was on the way to Canterlot about a week ago. I been unable to sell it” White Rose open it up “I guess coming out of a unknown portal and telling where I got it something to do with unable to sell it...” she sighed.

“Why not come up with a story?” Spike suggested taking the box and looking at the crystal, it was shaped almost like a star but it was shimmering with sliver light sparking as well.

White Rose shook her head “I never been one for lying, I always been about telling the truth where I get my crystals and how I make them, I never once lied, I might hide my horn from my fellow keen at the Crystal Empire but they still know I have the horn, it just makes them comfortable knowing I can still look a lot like them.” she explained to Spike. “I did start selling it at about 69 Bits but because I been unable to sell it I cut the price right back to 12 Bits”

Spike eyes lit up “12 BITS!? Seriously!?”

“I erm... I... could... well lower it if that too steep...” White Rose felt a little shocked by the way he screamed it out and fearing she over pricing it.

“No no no not at all White Rose, in fact I got 12 Bits right here, so I will take it if that ok?” Spike raise his bag of bits to her.

White Rose felt a little bit more calmly “Why would you be interested in a unknown crystal anywhere? I tried all sort of magic on it, I can't shape it, change it or even cut some parts of it. I never seen anything like it in my life... unless you count the Black Star Crystal” she shivered at the thought of it.

“The black what?”

“Oh erm... well it was a magic crystal... I am sorry it a personal issue, family issues...” White Rose felt uneasy talking about it.

“Oh don't worry I won't press the question on if it that too personal” Spike smile then stared at the crystal “I think something as pure as this should be a great gift to Rarity no matter where it came from. So I will take it”

“Thank you Spike” she took the money and smiled warmly “Have a nice day”

“Same to you White Rose” he waves and walks off with the two boxes humming to himself and disappear into the crowd.

“What a nice dragon” White Rose went back to selling her crystals when a white unicorn came up to it “Oh hi I got a lot of lovely...” she paused as she saw who it was with fear in her eyes “Si-sisisi....” she was frozen with fear gulping at the sight whom stood before her.

Black Rose smirked “I see you haven't forgotten me sister” she looking up and down at the crystals “Now I heard you found a crystal on the way to Canterlot by a few ponies, something about a portal”

White Rose nods her head rapidly with her eyes shrunk to pin pricks “Y-ye-yes... Bla-bl-bl...”

“Oh quit stuttering like a filly White Rose, give me it and I be on my way” Black Rose demanded

“I... Do-don't have it anymore... I sold it” White Rose replied

Black Rose glared at her “Damn you White Rose, that crystal I needed for my plains to work, now you made it a lot harder for me... now who did you sell it to”

“No-not tel-telling” White Rose shaking her head in refusal to tell.

Black Rose growled under her breath “You have the count of five to tell me now or I will...” she saw a few guards looking at her. “Damn that Celestia she keeping tabs on me even with my proof I done no wrong...” she stomps her hoof on the ground making White Rose yelp and hide behind her cart with fear “Hide behind your silly little cart because I will find out whom got the crystal...”

White Rose shivering with fear “I won't tell you...” she managed to say. “Not after what you and King Sombra did”

“That father you little twit!” Black Rose sneered. “He the reason why we crystal pony unicorns don't forget it!” Black Rose bucks the cart and storms off in anger.

White Rose use her magic to pick up the crystals scattered all over the ground thanks to Black Rose. “Ma'am would you like us to help?” the guard came up to her.

“Oh please that would be kindful... I just hate getting moody customers like that...” White Rose lied  but glad for the help the guard pony was giving her. “Thank you for helping me out”

“It not a problem ma'am. We will make sure she won't cause any more problems for you”

White Rose nods a little “Th-thank you sir...

“Not a problem miss, like I said we will make sure she won't cause any trouble when here in Canterlot” he put a hoof out to her and she took it getting back up on her four hooves. “May I make a suggestion?”

“What would that be sir?”

“Why don't you try selling your business in Ponyville, you sell your gems and crystals at a good price and your magic crafting skills would bring some joy to those there” he said in a calm and gentle manner to the black unicorn.

White Rose thought about it “I could give it a try” she lift the shutters over the cart sliding all the trays back into place and soon it was sealed up. “Thank you for the advice erm... I didn't get your name”

“It Armour Cracker ma'am, my magic is strong enough to crack a shield in two, armour or even large rocks” he chuckled “May I know your name?”

“White Rose” she beamed with a kiss to his side of the snout “That a thank you, don't get any ideas Armour Cracker” she smirked and trots off pulling her cart to the station. “Oh this one on the house” she tossed a white rose made out of crystal to him.

He cause it with his right front hoof and stared at it with a red face “Th-thank you...” he blushing still watches the mare leave. “I so hope she come back to Canterlot after Ponyville...” he whispered dreamily to himself and walks off humming happily.

Present time on the train...

Spike sitting with the girls look to the white rose crystal he was given “Whoa where the hay did you get that Spike?”

“Oh erm...” he turn to Rainbow Dash “It was a gift from one of the crystal ponies, she was selling crystals and craft them into amazing things,  she gave me this for free as a thank you for helping save the Crystal Empire” Spike replied staring at it again. “It look so yummy but I can't bring myself to even eating it... it just a beautiful gift...”

Twilight smiled looking to the crystal shape rose “Indeed it is Spike, who was the crystal pony that gave it to you?”

Spike look to it placing it away in the box and turn to Twilight “Her name is White Rose, she a unicorn crystal pony”

Twilight blinked “W-what?”

“A crystal pony that a unicorn, from what I heard she hides it with some illusion magic when back at home, every crystal pony knows she has a horn but they like it when she hides it from public view cause it reminds them of King Sombra, but she also very kind hearted and before they was all saved she worked in the mines like the other crystal ponies” Spike explained to Twilight.

Rainbow Dash put her hooves behind her head sitting against the seat “That would explain it, if I was the only pegasus that was made of crystal and some pony was twisted and dark, then I would like to hide them from public to make my fellow ponies happy”

Twilight stared at Rainbow Dash “Are you ok?”

“Yeah Twi I am fine, just saying Spike got a point” Rainbow sighed “But how can she be a unicorn? I am sure all of them are Earth Pony types”

Twilight only could think of one thing that made her shiver “I think I got a hunch but I rather not say it till I can confirm my theories...”

“Girls please... don't suspect a pony for something bad... she has a good heart, if she didn't then why is she all sparkling like all the crystal ponies, as you said Twilight they all connected to the magic of the Crystal Heart even being far from home if their hearts are pure and filled with friendship and love” Spike said trying to defend White Rose from theories and unworthy fears to the crystal unicorn. “And I completely believe her story, I saw her fear in her eyes and the sadness”

Twilight look to her assistant seeing that dead serious look in his eyes with a smile she put a hoof around him “Your right Spike, we can't judge a pony like that and what you saw and said make me believe it more then ever, thank you Spike for making that crystal clear to us”

“If you put it that way Spike, I am cool with the whole crystal unicorn thing” she closed her eyes “Now if you don't mind I am going to get some zzzzs” Both Twilight and Spike shook their heads and went back to talking to each other quietly not to wake up Rainbow Dash.

White Rose was standing by the door in one of the private rooms of the train with soft smile listening to them speak “Thank you for giving me a chance... I-I am so ever gr-grateful...” she step back in and closes the door. “I am just ashamed to know who my father is... so many of the crystal ponies do too but they know I am not like in at all... I am kind... truthful and honest... I care deeply for my friends back at the Crystal Empire... I did all I can to help them and they knew it but one thing he did manage to do was...” she look at her reflection showing in her imagination the image of her sister. “he made them all forget about her... my sister Black Rose... no books, no information... not even my mother remembers her... even the photos all but one... the one I kept... when we was family...” she pulled it out of her saddle bag with her magic staring at the photo with tears falling as she held it to her chest. “Why did you have to do it father... why...” she sobbed quietly to herself.

Canterlot...

Black Rose walking down the streets with a anger look on her face as the sun sets, she saw Celsetia setting the sun with Luna rising the moon. “Damn those princesses... if only I had the magic to deal with them...” she whispered and continued to walk “I have to play it cool and calm... my father made sure no pony would expect where I come from and only pony that knows is my sister... she a problem I will have to deal with in time... but for now I have to think of how to get the crystal off that lizard...”

She noticed the three ponies at the café across the street eating together. “It them again...” she hissed and step into the shadows glancing over to it “Another problem I must face... no” she paused with a dark smirk “Maybe I could get them to Ponyville and make them think the Elements of Harmony are the thieves... but how could I do that... unless I misdirect them...” Black Rose chuckled “Oh this is too perfect”

Using a spell she changed her appearance and hid her flank in the cloak she put up. “Now to play them into my hooves”

Electuroo eating his hay fries look to Daring Do “Auntie are all leads seriously gone cold?”

“Indeed kiddo... we not only stuck here but with little or no information to go by we at ground zero...” Daring Do sighed and drunk some of her Apple Cider.

“This is a bunch of ponyfeathers that we got no leads... and with me y'all options are limited...” Braeburn felt like being a big let down to them. “If what ah heard is true... it going to be harder...”

Electuroo smirked “Don't let yourself down Braeburn who knew this would happen” he put a hoof on his back “Your still my best friend and person that I got to know, I never leave you hanging”

“Thanks pal” Braeburn replied.

“If only we had one lead on the Stardust Crystal...” Daring Do grumbled

“Stardust Crystal?” they all turn to see a elderly pony walking up to them in a cloak. “Is it by any chance a crystal that look like sliver and shimmers with sparkling light?”

“Yes Ma'am that is it... you seen it?” Daring Do asked her.

“Indeed I have youngling, I saw a small dragon buy it at a stall the other day, I think they live in a place call Ponyville, can't go much more then that young mare” the mare saw their eyes lit up with a smirk on her face she knew her plan was working and putting together what she saw in the afternoon and the day before she knew that dragon had it.

Braeburn gulped “P-pon-Ponyville?”

“Is something wrong with you young stallion? You look like you've seen a windego” Black Rose wanted to see the priceless look on his face even more and burst out laughing but she knew that had to wait.

Electuroo frowned at the elder pony and looked into her eyes, he knew those eyes in a flash “Auntie” he whispers to her “Look at her eyes”

Daring Do did so and saw what he meant then nod to him “Thank you for the tip old mare” she gets up and so does the other two and they leave.

Black Rose watch them leave and moves back to the shadows and change back dropping the robe “Oh this is going to be perfect” she chuckled lightly but unaware that she was discovered by Electuroo. “Now all I have to do is wait and let things play out”

Electuroo, Braeburn and Daring Do arrived at the station looking around they saw no one and quickly gathered together “That was Black Rose I am sure of it” Electuroo whispered to Daring Do

“I have to agree those eyes I never forget...” Daring Do added. “But the question is why she telling us this?”

Braeburn pulled out a book “ah borrowed this from the library, it something to do with Elements of Harmony, maybe it something to do with those in Ponyville”

They all looked at the papers “It says that the six ponies of harmony worked together to stop the evil of Nightmare Moon” she point to the picture “That sure look like Twilight and Rainbow Dash”

“And that look exactly like mah cousin only pony like” he point a hoof to the orange earth pony.

Electuroo looked at Daring Do “So you think she trying to get us to go after the Stardust Crystal for her?”

“I believe so... and something about this elements of harmony that scares her... I only know of the legends about them, never seen them in real life... also never found out where they was and thought Nightmare Moon was a fairy tale too. So if they real then she knows these ponies are a threat to her...” Daring Do replied

“Then what do we do auntie? Do we go in directly thinking she had us fooled or another approach?”

Daring Do thought about it and saw a train pull up with Ponyville on the front of the steam train, a sudden idea came to her and glace to her nephew. “I got a idea...” she smirked when she noticed the suit and top hat in the window of the shop inside the train station then look to Braeburn with Electuroo smiling too.

Braeburn saw that a look in their eyes and his eyes dropped instantly with only two words came to mind...“Aw nuts...”