Harmony Blade

The friendship express rattled down the tracks towards the crystal empire, the wind howling outside in the cabin. The sun started to rise from behind the mountains, the sun's rays were shining and glistening off the ice cyrstals. The rays advanced to the cabin, shining through the windows.

Twilight awoke from her slumber by the sun light shining on her eyes, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She got to her hoofs, pacing aroud the cabin to wake herself up she stared to remember what she was doing today. Herself and the girls were invited to the crystal empire after Twilight received a letter from her brother inviting them to an expedition in ruins that were discovered in the tundra outside of the barrier. Her mind drifted back to went she had read is letter.

Dear Twily

About a week ago, we sent a platoon of guards to set up a out post in the middle of the tundra. When they were out on patrol one of the troops fell through the surface of the ice. There sent a pegasus down to see if he was alright, they found something we would have never of expected. The were ruins of a civilisation dating back before Celestia and Luna stopped Discord. I would like you and the other elements of harmony to investigate the ruins. We don't know what is down there and think it will be extremely dangerous, so we would like to be prepared for anything that may be living in the ruins.

See ya so

Shining Armor

P.S Cadence says to visit the castle before you meet me at the outpost.

Twilight started to think about all of the knowledge that could be learn from the ruin,all the books, all of the artifacts that may be down there, her thought were interrupted by a yawn. She turned to see Applejack rolling out of the bunk and rub her eyes,she turn to Twilight.

"Your up offaly early aren't ya sugercube." Said Applejack

Twilight replying "Yeah I'm just so exited that we are getting to go on the expedition to the ruins."

Rainbow Dash's ears twitched at the word ruins and stared the stir. She opened here eyes and looked over to Applejack and Twilight, she rubbed her eyes and yawned loudly waking the other. "What did you say about of the ruins Twi." Rainbow Dash said excitedly.

"I was just saying how excited in am to investigate them." Twilight replyed

"Yeah it will be just like Daring Doo book, exploring ancient ruins, recovering long lost artifacts and dodging traps, it's gonna be so awesome." Rainbow Dash said now very excited.

"Not just that but all of the divine crystal that could be down there." Rarity interjected

"Oh and all the little critters that could be living down there." Fluttershy added

The sound of screeching brakes announced there arrival at the Crystal Empire Station. There were crystal ponies walking around the streets and going about there business, a stallion in crystal empire guard armour was waiting for them at the station. They all stepped out onto the platform and started to walk towards the guard, he turns and faces them with the guards usual emotionless face.

"I am here to escort you to the castle, Princess Mi Amorè Cadenza is expecting you." He said

They all started walking down the street towards the castle, a crowd began to gather cheering and thanking them for saving the crystal empire from King Sombra.

They walked past the crystal heart and went up the crystal stair case to the castle corridors, the guard navigated them through the mase of corridors the a pair of white crystal door. He turned to the group and said "We have snow gear ready for you at the guard station at the edge of the barrier for when you are ready to depart to the ruins."

He then turned a started knocking no the door, a light blue aura surrounded the doors as they were pulling open. The group started to walk through the door, whilst the guard walked back to his post outside he door.

At the sight of Cadence, Twilight started to trot towards her and Cadence towards her, they both had a smile on their faces as they came face-to-face. They both danced and sang "Sunshine sunshine ladybugs awake clap your hoofs and do a little shake."

They both heared sniggering from the group, ignoring the sniggering Cadence said "Twlight I'm so glad your here i haven't seen you since the crystal fair."

"Yeah this is the only time we got together with out something bad happening, so what did you want us for." Twilight replyed

"I was wondering if after the expodistion you and your friend would like to have dinner with Shining Armor and I." Cadence said

Twilight looked back a the girl, who were all nodding there heads, she turned back to face Cadence and said cheerfully "Sure we would love to join you for dinner after we investigate the ruins."

"Wonderful, would you like to get breakfast before you all go." Cadence asked

They were about to decline but the sound of the groups grumbling stomachs bet them to it. "I'll take that as a yes then." Cadence said with a smirk on her face.

After the meal with Cadence the group stood outside the entrence the castle, "We'll  come back after we visit the ruins and stay for the night and catch the morning train." Twilight said

"I'm look forward to it." Cadence replyed

After the group said there farewells, they started walking toward the edge of the barrier that lead into the tundra and put on the snow gear that was supplied to them at the guard station. After they were all geared up they started there trek through the snow towards the outpost, unaware of the shadow following them.