Can't... stop... must... keep running... Oh, how could I have been so foolish? If only Shining Armor were still here... then, then things would be different. I can't think straight. I have to save him. He's out there somewhere... I know for sure. Please don't let this happen!
The wind howled. the storm grew angrier by the second. Any moment now I would slip on a chunk of ice and fall into the grasps of... it. After King Sombra was defeated, I thought the empire would be protected. But I was wrong. Something much larger, much more powerful, is after it. The Empire - and I - were at its' stake.
At first I thought it was just some bad nightmare. I didn't want to believe it was true. But if this is a nightmare, it'll be one that I'll never wake up from. Ever.
The moon had just risen. Luna help me now, I thought. Graces upon you, Celestia. I knew they couldn't help me. At least not now. I felt something tugging at my leg. "No, please, no!" I shouted. I screamed for my life, but still knowing that no matter how hard I tried, nothing could save me. Not now, at least. Or so I thought.
"Calm down, everypony!" Said the young princess. "Everything is going to be fine. Cadance will be back any moment now." she sighed, as she watched her sister-in-laws' beloved subjects fury.
Why had Cadance gone out like this? Even after Shining Armor had gone out, she was to stay in the Empire and protect it - Which was now all up to Twilight Sparkle, since Celestia and Luna were... busy. "I just hope she comes back, Spike," she said to her baby dragon.
"Twi, you've said that like one thousand times! I get it!"
"But you don't! According to these, there's a mysterious force trying to destroy the empire!" Twilight exclaimed, pointing to some notes and scrolls she had gathered.
"D-destroy?" Spike did not like the sound of that. "We have to do something!"
Twilight shook her head in sorrow. "What is there to do? I have to protect the citizens!"
There was a moment of silence. Then, all of a sudden, Spike perked up. "You could have your friends help!"
Twilight Perked up as well. "Spike! That's a GREAT Idea! C'mon!" The princess went as quickly as she could to find a messenger pony - It was urgent.
"P... Please!" I cried. "Don't hurt me!" Shivering, I realized where I was. In the dark, strapped to a table. My magic is too weak to work now, so I knew I couldn't do anything to escape. A strange, slithery voice came out of the dark.
"Now... who do we have here?" I felt something creeping up against my body. "A precious, precious pink pony... how nice..." the something slithered around my wings and neck. I dare not flinch - even the slightest move could cost me my life. I couldn't give up myself. I would not let down my subjects... Yet I feel like I already have.
I couldn't bear the thought of where my Shining Armor might be. Perhaps he was in captivity like me. Or he might be dead, somewhere out in the Frozen North. Just thinking about it made me shudder. "What's that, pony? Cold?" I felt it wrap around one of my hind legs.
"Let me go!" I said, distilled with anger and distress.
"Let you go? Why would I do that? You're mine now..." It said. I gulped. I felt it slither around my torso.
"why are you doing this to me?" I asked, fright in my voice. I knew it didn't just want me. It wants my kingdom, too. How foolish was I... but I needed my Shining, if it meant anything more.
"Tell me where Shi-" I was cut off, for it started to wrap around my mouth. I didn't know how much more I could take. I just had to get back. I tried to scream. I screamed, even though the scream was muffled - No matter for the troubles, but this is important. I screamed louder than I ever had before... Just in case, you know, somepony might hear me.
The mane six were gathered in the Crystal Empire Library. Twilight Sparkle sat in the corner with a concerned expression. "I just don't know what to do," she whimpered, her hooves hiding her face in worry.
"I'm sure it's nothin', Twi..." Said Applejack. She smiled, and placed a comforting hoof on her friend. Twilight smiled, dimly.
"Well... what I need you to do is stay here while I go look for Cadance."
"What!? Are you crazy? You can't go out there by yourself!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. "Some of us will stay and watch for Danger, and AJ and I will come with you. Sounds like a plan?" the ponies nodded. "Good!" she flew down with satisfaction.
Fluttershy whimpered. "Are... are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Of course it's a good idea! Now c'mon, what're we waiting for?" Rainbow Dash gestured her hoof forward, eagerly. Shrugging, Twilight Sparkle thrust her dragon onto her back, and Applejack followed.
The moment she stepped out of the empire, Twilight Sparkle felt a rush of cold air.
breathing heavily, the four trekked up the hill in the harsh blizzard. "Are you starting to think... this wasn't such a good plan?" huffed Rainbow Dash.
Twilight shot her a look that told Rainbow Dash, this was your idea. Rainbow Dash kept quiet. Every now and then, Twi would call out, "Cadance!" or "Shining Armor?" but, time after time, there was no reply.
Twilight listened closely through the wind. I... I hear something... a scream! Twilight thought to herself. She jumped up. "That must be it!" She said, pointing to a very tall, dark, and distant structure in the distance. You could barely make out its' shape.
Applejack stopped for a moment, and took off her hat. Huffing, she let her mane blow in the wind. "Don't y'all feel like taking... a... a break?" She asked.
Twilight Sparkle Stopped. "What? but... but we have to save them! We don't know where we are, we can't go back..."
"I know... but I'm getting a might tired... So... we can set up camp here. I wouldn't trust any strange castles, if I were you. Especially around here..."
"I kinda agree with Applejack... I don't know if I can stand." added Rainbow Dash.
Twilight Sighed. "Why stop now? We haven't even be walking that long."
"We've been walking for nearly four hours!"
"Fine," she agreed, hastily, "But we can't take too long. my brother... and not to mention my sister-in-law, are probably in trouble. We can't waste our time. I know your hooves are aching, your backs are sweating - and freezing - but it's just not worth it to wait!" The princess stomped her hoof on the ground with anger, then stormed off in the direction of the castle.
She didn't care if her friends weren't going to come, she was going anyway. By then, spike had fallen asleep, safely secured on Twilight's back. She made her way up to the building, which was now getting closer into sight. It looked much like the palace in the crystal empire, except it was made out of obsidian, and trimmed with pure gold. "I think we're almost there," she told him. "I can feel it."
