The Crystal Empire was cold. The snows billowed and blew across the ground, another blizzard rolling in. The Crystal Ponies were safe in there city, due to the magic of the Crystal Heart and Cadence's will. The Princess in question was waking up, pushing her husband of the bed. He grumbled slightly, but kept sleeping. She yawned, mane shooting out with hairs in an unkempt state. She levitated a brush over and started to comb it down, yawning again. Her room was simple, with a dresser, bed, mirror and drawers, etc. The walls shone with the suns reflected light, occasional rainbows every now and then. She stretched and walked to the door, opening it tiredly. She started to walk down the halls, guards silent and poised. She turned a right after a while and kept walking, before her ear twitched at the sound of hooves down the halls. She turned as a page ran towards her. She watched as he skidded to a stop panting. "Yes, my subject?" She asked a little worried. He gasped for air as he raised his head.

"P-Princess, s-something terrorizing the marketplace..." He sputtered out before collapsing. Her eyes narrowed and she beckoned two guards over. They picked up the pony and carried him away as she opened her wings and flew to the bedroom. She walked over to Shining, who was still asleep.

"Shining, Pancakes." As she spoke these words his eyes snapped open and he jumped up.

"Really?" He looked to his wife eagerly and his face went grim when he saw her face. He nodded and ran to his armor stand, which was propped up against the wall for these emergencies. "Where?" He asked as he slipped it on hurriedly.

"The Marketplace. Ready?" She asked as she opened the windows with her magic. He nodded and grabbed her hoof. Together they ran out the window and jumped, her magic keeping him up as they flew towards the Marketplace, where screams were heard. He readied his blade, a small sword that was enchanted to jump the target's nerves so they cant move.

The snow howled around the black crystals, where the crack was. A small thump was heard as the crack grew larger, and a figure moved inside. Another thump and some shards flew off. A light shined before a spear blasted through, lightning surrounding it. A figure pushed itself out, coughing slightly. The snow swirled with the wind, obscuring the figure from view. He stood shakily and shook himself, looking around. He nodded and started to walk around, looking for an entrance. After a while he found a small slit in the crystals and slid through, popping out with a small grunt. He thrust his spear into the ground and used it to push himself into a standing position, where a break in the snow let the sun shine, revealing a golden helmet, shaped like a lion, with a red plume coming out the back. He slowly stood up, the sun disappearing back behind the snow. He looked around and sighed, shivering a little. As he looked around, a break in the storm showed a glimpse of crystal. He narrowed his eyes and started to walk into the storm, the sights of Seeth's Crystals easily recognizable.

An hour or two passed before he saw the grass. He narrowed his eyes curiously and strode forward before kneeling at the barrier. He stretched out an ice covered gauntlet, which when it passed through the barrier the ice and frost melted off. He stood up and walked through, sighing in relief as he felt the snow melt away. The sun shined brightly upon the golden warrior, who held his spear at his side as he gazed upon the Crystal construct. He started walking, spear tight in his grip as his eyes darted side to side. It was quiet, more than he liked. He slowly approached the town, where he saw crystal...ponies? He hadn't seen a horse in years. He marched closer, and saw several look his way. They watched him a little before running back into the...city? He nodded. City of Crystal. He walked into the main street and saw...nothing. The streets were boarded up and nothing in sight, except small whispers from the houses. He started to walk down the streets, and saw several hoof marks scuffing the street from a hasty get away. He kept walking, head un-moving as his eyes darted from window to door. He paused in the town square, where several stalls stood. He waited listening before he heard a small clatter and a yelp of pain. He walked towards, casually kicking the small stands away as he walked closer. A small pony, barely larger than his head sat with a bleeding leg and sobbing slightly. He knelt down and it snapped up to look at him, sobbing shut off as it gazed upon him with fear. He set his spear down and looked around, before reaching over and grabbing a cloth that was discarded earlier. He ripped it in half before reaching down towards the...foal? Foal. As it watched his hand it shivered before a puddle of yellow liquid desecrated the street. He raised an eyebrow under his helm as he gentle grasped the bleeding leg. He took the cloth and started to wrap up the scrape. The foal watched fearfully. He finished and tied it tight, before picking the foal up. The foal looked up and yelled, struggling in fear, before wincing in pain and settling. He pet it calmly, the foal slowly starting to relax as it sensed that he meant no harm. He picked up his spear and looked back around before his eyes darted to the sky. He turned, looking up as a small pink blur grew larger. He clutched the foal protectively as he watched the blur, hefting his spear. It grew closer and his eyes narrowed. With a flash of movement he swung his spear, and smacked the blur away like a fly into a building. The stone crumbled as a pink pony? No, it looked like one but had a horn and wings. It fell to the ground and stood up slowly as another fell from behind it, this one armored had just a horn, with a small dagger laying nearby. He watched as the pink looked back at the gold-armored one, helping it up before gazing back at him. He adjusted his grip on the foal as he span his spear in his hand, before with a small shockwave of air he pointed it at them. They stood, locking eyes before the pink one opened her mouth.

"Whinny." It let out, and he stared, un-moving. It growled and whinnied again, along with more neighs and grunts. He tilted his head and shook it. Pink growled and shot a bolt of pink magic. He swatted it away easily. Pink gave more sounds and he stood. He shoved his spear into the stone, impaling it, before raising his hand and pointing at her? Her. He then mimed talking and shrugged while shaking his head. She watched and calmed slightly then nodded. With magic she created her own hands and pointed at him, then mimed talking, then a question mark. He nodded. "I can speak." His voice was around a light tone, with a small and subtle Austreighlian accent. She shook her head and mimed that she couldn't understand. He raised his arms before feeling something hitting his legs. He turned around, frightening the pony behind him. She backed up the neighed and pointed at the foal. He nodded and kneeled, setting the foal on the ground. It ran to the pony who hugged it quickly then ran with the foal down a street. He stood back up and looked at Pink, who had walked closer, smiling softly. She looked him over than bowed. He returned the bow before he mimed writing. She nodded and put several characters in the air of her language. He shook his head.

Cadence continued miming with the creature, as Shining watched. "What is it?" He murmured, watching its every move. Cadence shrugged before a loud grumble ripped the silence. The Creature scratched his head and mimed eating. She nodded and beckoned as she started to walk towards the castle. Shining walked beside her as it followed, spear at the ready.

"I don't know sweetheart, but we'll find out soon enough." She pushed open the doors and the trio walked in, the Crystal Ponies watching as the doors shut behind them.

Author's Note

So please tell me, how is the second chapter? Id really love any feedback, it reeeeeeeeeeally helps! And this is our prestiged awoken: