A month has passed since that night. During the whole month, Artorias started to live his life as he lived back in Lordran. Artorias and Sif visited Canterlot everyday as per Luna's request, and also to meet and train the Royal Guards as per Shining Armor and Captain Shatterstorm's request. Keeping him from going out of shape and rusty while also reminding him during his days as one of the head trainers back in Lordran for Lord Gwyn's army. In recognition of his deeds, Artorias was awarded the rank of Captain in the Royal Guards; making him on par with his best friend Ornstein. As Ornstein was the Captain of their squad and family.

Early on that morning, Artorias, fully armed and armored, was doing his daily exercise with Sif. Including a sparring session which they held on the field near Fluttershy's cottage.

Artorias was standing on the edge of the field, with Sif standing on the other; greatswords at the ready. At lightning speed, they dashed towards each other with Artorias performing a jumping slash which Sif parried rather graciously; feeling the immense ammount of force, Artorias backflipped and landed several feets away from the massive great gray wolf.

But before another strike could be made, Sif turned her head and focused her sights at something. Artorias knew Sif very well and her focus would never shift in both training and combat; unless something extraordinary has caught her attention. Seeing this, Artorias followed her line of sights and saw that Twilight's library was levitating upside down before falling back to the ground with a dull thud. Artorias' experienced and honed senses told him that based on the sound, the library seemed to be okay. In other words, intact. But, Artorias wanted to make sure that nopony got hurt in the process so he and Sif ended today's training and sprinted towards Twilight's library.

Once they got to the library, Twilight and her friends were already outside; with Twilight and Spike triple-checking their equipment.

"What happened?" Artorias asked.

"Artorias, Sif! Thank Celestia you are here. We have to go to Canterlot now! Princess Celestia is going to give me a test!" Twilight said while trotting towards the train station with her friends following close behind.

"Did Twilight levitated the library?" Artorias asked again, her friends nodded. "How?"

"Uh, lets just say our egghead here just heard something she dislike." Rainbow replied with a sheepish smile.

Artorias acknowledged her statement, and proceeded to the train station. As he boarded the train and took his seat, a bad feeling started to brew inside his heart and mind...the same feeling he felt before falling into the Abyss' corruption. Artorias quickly swept those thoughts aside and steeled himself up for the path that awaited them. But one thing he knew for sure, this was not just a regular test.

"Are you sure you don't want me to go as well?" Luna asked.

"Yes. Cadance and Shining Armor are already there, the others will join them soon." Celestia replied.

"The Empire's magic is powerful, it cannot fall again my sister." Luna replied solemnly.

"She will succeed at her task. And once she does, we will know that she is much closer to being ready. Trust me, little sister."Celestia assured her.

As she said that, the throne room doors spreaded wide open; revealing Twilight, Sif and Artorias.

"Ahem, you wanted to see me? To give a test? I brought my own quills and plenty of paper to show my work! Sorry, sorry!" Twilight said.

"This is a different kind of test,the Crystal Empire has returned." Celestia stated.

"The Crystal Empire? Oh, I'm sorry. I-I thought I studied. There's nothing like that in any of my books I-" Twilight said frantically while scanning through her books, only to be stopped by Celestia.

"There wouldn't be. Very few remembered that it even existed. Even my knowledge about the Empire is limited. But what do I know, is that it contains a powerful magic. One thousand years ago, King Sombra, a unicorn whose heart was black as night, took over the Crystal Empire." Celestia stated.

"He was ultimately overthrown, turned to a shadow, and banished to the ice of the arctic north. But not before he put a curse that caused it to vanish into thin air. If the Empire is filled with hope and love those thing will be reflected across all of Equestria. But if fear and hatred take hold...which is why I need your help to protect it." Celestia finished while staring at the three.

For Artorias and Sif, hearing Celestia's tale alone have sparked an eerily familiar sensation and back story within their minds.

"You want me to protect an entire empire?" Twilight inquired.

"It is, as I said before, a different kind of test. But one I am sure you will pass." Celestia assured her student.

"How do I begin?"

"By joining Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire."

"My brother is there?"

"He is. Captain Shatterstorm and his squad is also there with them. Your Ponyville friends, Artorias, and Sif will join you there as well. I have every confidence that you will succeed. And when you do, I will know you are ready to move on to your next level of studies." Celestia stated.

"But what if I fail?"

"You won't."

"But what if-"

"You won't. But Twilight, in the end, it must be you and you alone who ultimately assists Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in what needs to be done to protect the Crystal Empire, do you understand?" Celestia asked.

"Mmm-hmm!" Twilight replied with a smile.

"Then go, there is no time to lose."

With that, the trio began to walk out from the room. But Artorias felt his right shoulder was being held by a familiar sense of energy grip. He turned around and saw Luna walking towards him. Seeing this, Artorias knelt on one knee before her.

"Be safe, okay?" Luna asked with a startling amount of emotion in her voice.

Artorias nodded with a smile "There won't be a scratch in my face. After this, I will take you somewhere nice, okay?" He said. But despite his efforts, Luna hung her head; uncertainty readable on her face. Artorias sighed, and hugged her tightly which she returned by locking her front hoofs on the back of his neck.

"Not a scratch, promise?" Luna said teasingly as they broke the hug.

"Not a scratch." Artorias assured her before turning to Celestia.

"I will make sure nopony will get hurt, not on my watch." Artorias said solemnly.

Celestia nodded "Thank you, and be safe Artorias."

With that, Artorias bowed and left the throne room to join the others.

The cold arctic wind swept across their faces as Artorias, Sif, and the Main Six exitted the train they took to the Crystal Empire. Artorias glanced at Sif and nodded. Taking it as a cue, she planted ger greatsword to the ground and lifted the Main Six and Spike to her back before picking up her sword. Sheltering them from the cold due to her thick fur and providing them with a mode of faster and safer transportation. On the other hand, Artorias' mind and heart kept on telling him that even if the slightest of mistakes were made, he and everypony else could be in a grave danger. But he was snapped from his thoughts as a familiar masculine voice called out in a distance.

"Twily! You made it!" Shining Armor's voice echoed, revealing the latter wearing goggles and a scarf on his neck.

"Shining Armor?" She inquired.

Shining nodded "We'd better get moving, there are things out here we don't want to run into after dark." Shining warned them.

"What kind of things?" Fluttershy gulped.

"Lets just say...the Empire isn't the only thing that's returned. Something keeps trying to get in, we think it's the old unicorn king who originally cursed the palace." Shining replied with a hint of dread in his voice.

Before any of them could say anything, a demonic howl pierced through the raging snowstorm.

"Th-that's one of the things isn't it?" Fluttershy squeaked.

"Guh. We have to get to the Crystal Empire, now!" Shining barked, pointing at a light barrier nearby. With that, demonic growls and roars filled the air with a black shadow with piercing green eyes dashed towards them with an incredible speed.

Instinctively, Sif sprinted towards the light barrier and reached it in seconds; leaving Artorias and Shining Armor behind. Moments later they were closing in to the light barrier with the shadow following close behind them.

Before they managed to enter the barrier, Shining stopped abruptly; charging his horn and glared angrily at the shadow. But suddenly, a burst of bright light sparked between him and the shadow; followed by a roar of pain with the shadow vanishing from their sights.Artorias had activated his silver pendant, which helped to 'materialize' a part of King Sombra's face and sliced the dark unicorn on his face; staining his sword with the unicorn's black, corrupted blood. With that, the two entered the barrier.

"T-thank you for-." Shining stuttered, only to receive a subtle but powerful backhand from Artorias. Not powerful enough to break his face or causing any major injuries, but powerful enough to make him remember Artorias' words.

"If you ever pull something like that again..." Artorias said with a deadly tone "I won't be going so slow on you. Are we clear?" He asked firmly.

"Sir, yes sir! I am sorry sir." Shining apologized. With that, they walked towards Sif, Spike, and the girls.

"Oh no! Shining Armor, your horn!" Twilight exclaimed. Shining Armor's horn was riddled with black crystals, preventing further uses of his magic capabilities.

"Sparklerific!" Pinkie exclaimed. Artorias had no idea what Pinkie just said, but he got one idea in his mind.

"Let me try something." Artorias stated. With that, he activated his silver pendant, to no avail. The crystals were still attached to Shining's horn.

"Damn, it's not working." Artorias cursed.

"Don't worry about me, but we have to get to the castle now." Shining said while pointing at a magnificent crystal palace in the distance with an equally magnificent view before them, with that they started walking towards the palace. Both Artorias and Sif knew that this won't be the last time that shadow would strike, and it will strike again soon. And they will be ready.

"Oh it's absolutely gorgeous!" Rarity said in awe.

Rarity looked around the scenery, observing everything as far as her eyes could see. To Artorias, if Seath didn't be so secluded and having a greater vision compared to keep his snout burried in countless tomes and riddles of the Duke's Archives, perhaps he could build something as magnificent as this.

"There are no words." Rarity said while holding her hoofs to her cheeks, twinkles appearing in her eyes.

"Focus Rarity, we're here to help Twilight, not to enjoy the scenery." Applejack said

"I don't see what the big deal is, looks like another old castle to me." Rainbow Dash added.

"Ah, just another old-- have you lost your mind? Have you looked at the magnif--." Rarity stopped her rant when she saw Rainbow Dash giggling. The latter and Applejack bro-hoofed and laughed.

"Very funny." Rarity replied sarcastically.

The group walked inside the castle, passing by Captain Shatterstorm and his squad who were tirelessly guarding the Empire. Artorias nodded at them before entering the palace with Sif.

"Sunshine, sunshine, lady bugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!" Twilight and Cadance's voice said in unison.

When Artorias and Sif walked inside, they were greeted by Cadance, but she looked very very exhausted.

"We really need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance." Cadance smiled.

Suddenly Cadance flinched and the barrier of light dissapeared in a few seconds before reappearing.

"Cadance, are you okay?" Twilight asked with a hint of concern.

"Cadence has been using her magic to spread love and light, that's what's been protecting the Empire. But she hasn't slept, barely eats, I tried to help her; but my protection spell has been countered by King Sombra." Shining Armor said while looking at his horn, which was still covered in crystals.

"It's alright Shining Armor, I'm fine." Cadence said with a weak voice.

"No you're not!" Shining snapped at her. "She can't go on like this forever, and if her magic were to fade, well all you saw out there is waiting for that to happen."

"That's why I'm here." Twilight said.

"Why we're all here." Applejack added.

Twilight looked at her friends, and the two new arrivals.

"Well with Cadence keeping her spell going, an me trying to keep an eye on things, we haven't been able to gather much information from the Crystal Ponies." Shining stated.

"Crystal ponies?!" Rarity exclaimed with a hint of joy. "There are Crystal ponies?" Everypony and everybody gave her a confused look. Rarity quickly regained her composure. "Please, continue." Rarity said with a sheepish smile.

"But we have to know how to protect the Empire, without using Candence's magic." Shining said.

Twilight fished through her brain for an answer.

"A research paper!" She exclaimed.

"Huh?" Shining asked confused.

"This must be part of my test, to gather information from the Crystal ponies and deliver it to you!" Twilight said.

"This is gonna be great! I love research papers!" Twilight said with joy.

"Yeah." Rainbow Dash said while nudging Pinkie with her hoof. "Who doesn't?" She asked with sarcasm leaking in her voice.

"Don't worry big brother, I am really good at this!" Twilight said while wrapping one of her front hoofs around Shining's neck. Resulting in his smile.

"Me, Sif, and Shining are going to stay here...guarding Princess Cadance and keeping watch on the horizon." Artorias declared.

"And the rest of us, will search through the library." Twilight said nonchalantly as the girls walked out from the throne room.

"Rainbow, wait." Artorias said as he took his Uchigatana from his satchel, and handing it to Rainbow "Take this with you, just in case." He smiled.

Rainbow received the sword with open hoofs, hugged him, and went out with her friends. Much to the amazement of Cadance and Shining Armor.

"Don't get me wrong, she is quite an expert in handling that sword." He smirked, the Princess and the Prince nodded.

As the girls left, Artorias walked towards Cadance and produced a green herb from his satchel, offering it to her.

"What is this Artorias?" Cadance asked while eyeing the herb curiously.

"Eat this, you will feel better." Artorias smiled. Cadance smiled and levitated the herb away from Artorias' hand and into her mouth and began chewing. For a moment, her face was contorted due to the bitter taste of the herb; but as soon as the stimulant kicked in, her face became less withered and more alive.

"Wow, what was that plant called Artorias?" Cadance asked while swallowing the herb. "I feel like I can run a thousand miles without stopping now." She cooed.

"That, was a green herb." He began, "It originates from my homeland, Lordran. Usually, it was annualy harvested in large numbers but you could find it near watery areas. It's a bitter, but it speeds up your stamina recovery for a short while." Artorias explained "Which is why I need you to save your strength as the herb is recovering your stamina. Unfortunately, it will wear off shortly."

True, as Artorias finished his sentence; the herb's effect wore off and Cadance was back in her withered state, albeit a little better now. Artorias sighed and turned to Shining Armor.

"No matter what happens, she can't fall asleep." Artorias said "Until Twilight and her friends returned, we are on our own."

"Should I call Captain Shatterstorm and his squad?"

"Yes, we will need a back-up plan in case Sombra manages to penetrate the force field before Twilight has returned. But I do pray to the gods that it would never happen." Artorias said as his tactical mind started to take over. Shining nodded, went outside, and returned with Shatterstorm and his squad.

The squad formed a neat row before Artorias and snapped him a firm salute, which he returned. A gesture he learned during their training.

"Mares, and gentlecolts." Artorias began "we are currently facing a dire situation at our hands and hoofs. which is why I will get straight to the point. Right now, Twilight Sparkle and her friends are doing research on the library; which is why our next terms of action will be coordinated by the results of the research." He said "But now, I am going to give our short term of action in case Sombra manages to break through the barrier. When I fought him earlier, magic seemed to be capable of dealing damage to him. Although I doubt a slice to the face will be enough to take him down."

Taking it as a cue, Shatterstorm started barking orders to Iron Sword, Roze Breeze, and Light Lasher; as they were the unicorns in the squad; the main magic users. While he, and Hurricane, and Swift Wind will use their magic-infused crossbow bolts to help combat the looming threat. After finishing the briefing, the guards stood beside him, waiting for the time.

An hour later, Crystal Palace

"Look, there she is." Artorias said while loading some Moonlight Arrows into his quiver, his longbow slung on his back. He received plenty of them from Dark Sun Gwyndolin just before he left for Oolacile.

Twilight was happily walking towards her brother answer sister-in-law, with Spike carrying a big book. Twilight stopped in front of her brother and opened the book with her magic.

"A crystal fair, according to this book, it was established by their first Queen and became one of their utmost traditions, it was held every year to...renew the spirit of love and unity in The Empire, so they could protect it from harm." Twilight said as he read the page of her newly acquired book about the Crystal Empire. "My friends and I could piece it together, everything we need is in this book."

"That sounds very promising." Shining Armor said while looking at his wife, saddened by Cadance's struggling condition.

"We'll get started right away." Twilight said while turning around and walking towards the throne rooms' exit." Come on Spike, we've got a fair to put together."

"Sure thing boss." Spike replied as they exitted the throne room.

"So, Captain Artorias...do you think we can defeat King Sombra?" Light Lasher asked.

Artorias inhaled and exhaled deeply "I don't know corporal, but one thing I am certain; we won't be able to take him down by using conventional means. The only way we will be able to defeat him is by using this 'powerful magic' which according to Princess Celestia is located on this Empire." He said while turning around to the ponies "But if an attack is inevitable, I want all of you to escort Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance to safety. You are their last line of defense and they are counting on you."

"But, sir won't you--" Rose Breeze tried to protest, only to be stopped by Artorias.

"That's an order." He said solemnly.

"Sir, yes sir!" Rose Breeze replied.

"Permission to speak freely sir." Shatterstorm spoke up.

"What is it?"

"As you know, King Sombra's powers are consisted of dark magic. And based on your story, you are not that good against dark magic. What if something happen to you? If you are...'lost'." The earth pony asked.

Artorias, knowing very well what Shatterstorm was implying let out a chuckle "Then you know what to do."

Author's Note

And that's another chapter! The Crystal Empire's here, and you know what's coming next...will Artorias be corrupted and became a puppet of darkness once again? Or will he persevere and live another day? No one (except me )trully knows.

I decided to have Capt. Shatterstorm and his squad in this one because it's interesting to note that there were no royal guards during the incident. Or to me at least.

The deepest condolences for the families and friends of the passangers of Germanwings, Flight 9525. May those who passed away are able to rest in peace, and may those who had been left behind, could remain strong and able to recover soon from the ashes of sorrow.

That's it from me for now, and until then I'll see you in the next one!

P.S :tell me your thoughts!