Crystallized

Black scorch marks were shredded across the room. The once bright, green paint was now dull. The cabinets on the wall had been ripped to pieces by the blast. Debris was littered everywhere.

Twilight rushed to Rarity's side. "You found her? Where is she? What happ-" Twilight paused, an expression of horror swept over her face.

Rarity whimpered and slowly trailed up to the cold, dark statue. The filly trapped inside looked terrified, as if she had just experienced an earthquake. Twilight trotted towards the filly and gasped.

"They're dark crystals!?" the Alicorn questioned.

Rarity, with a small tear rolling down her face, glanced at Twilight, "Whatever do you mean, darling?"

Twilight tapped the figure with her hoof, "Yes... dark crystals. Just like the ones in the Crystal Empire." She confirmed.

"The Crystal Empire!? You mean those rocks that idiot Sombra had used while he ruled?" The unicorn whispered in fear.

Twilight sighed, "Yes, those exact same crystals... I just can't imagine how they got here! And how did Sweetie Belle, of all ponies, even get to them!?"

"Equestria may never know." Rarity drooped her head.

A while later, Spike entered the room and gasped, Twilight and Rarity sat continuously chipping away small bits and pieces of the statue. "What are you-? How long have you two been-? How did-? WHAT?!" Spike yelled.

"We don't even know, Spike." Twilight stated frustratingly.

Spike cautiously tip-toed throughout the room, attempting to stay calm. "Wait a second, is that? Sweetie Belle?!" He shrieked.

Rarity sighed dejectedly, "I don't even know how this all happened. Though it's still all my fault."

Twilight gave her a stern glance, "This isn't anypony's fault, Rarity. Please understand that."

Spike interrupted, "How long have you two been sitting here mining away?"

Twilight checked a nearby clock on the wall, "4 HOURS?! WE'VE HARDLY GOTTEN ANYTHING DONE THOUGH!" She gasped, bounding to her hooves and looking around nervously. "Ooooh I was so busy today! And now I'm even more behind schedule!"

The alicorn rushed around the room nervously, "How am I going to catch up?! But we have to save Sweetie Belle! But I'm so busy! Oh no... Oh no oh no oh no oh no o-" She was interrupted by Spike grabbing her with a firm expression.

"Listen, Twilight. Every time you freak out like this, we only get more behind schedule! So just relax. We'll get through this. We always do!" Spike reassured her.

Twilight sighed and flopped onto the floor, "Good point, Spike. But how are we going to help Sweetie Belle?" She pointed towards the trapped filly, "It's been 4 hours and we've hardly made any progress!"

The tiny dragon paced around the library, "When did those books get here, again?"

"Earlier this morning! I don't remember seeing Sweetie Belle when they arrived though." Twilight answered.

Rarity trotted towards them, "Oh why does it matter? Let's just find some fancy reverse spell!" She whined.

"Rarity's right, let's just go find that book." Spike agreed.

Rarity growled, her mane had become shaggy and messy, "I absolutely have to fix this horrid mess of a mane!"

Twilight sighed, "Hang on, Rarity, we need to find something that will help us. Don't you care about your little sister?"

The unicorn jerked straight up and bored into Twilight's eyes, "Are you saying I'm a bad sister?!"

Twilight looked at her with an unamused expression, "Well you're definitely not the worst, but you're not the best either."

Spike snickered and looked over towards Rarity, who quickly grew defensive, "Well I'll have you know that I- Er... Oh never mind! Forget this nonsense! I need to save my sister!" She said heroically.

Twilight and Spike shook their heads silently and giggled as they continued to sort through the books.