Guard Tiara: The Grand Guard Games

In the pre-dawn hours of morning, the capital city of The Crystal Empire stood silent. However, on this particular morning, the streets were not nearly as empty as they would normally be. This morning, there were far more guards patrolling the streets than usual.

At one of the corners stood Diamond Tiara and Dinky Hooves, with Rumble flying up above them. Diamond was stifling a yawn, because of course the universe would have the malicious irony sense of humor where the first night she was able to actually get a good night's sleep in days, she would have to be woken up early for the patrol. Still, it was not all bad. At least their patrol route would take them past Snow Sugar's Sweets. They could probably stop in and grab a snack.

"Okay," Rumble said as he came in for a landing. "Looks like it's clear here as well."

Diamond Tiara tugged at the borrowed Crystal Empire armor. It did not seem to fit her right.

The three of them continued along the road. As they went, they scanned along the street, looking for signs of anything strange or out of place, or ponies walking alone that needed an escort. Occasionally, one of them would look up toward the sky, checking for a signal from one of the other patrols.

So far, the three of them had seen nothing out of the ordinary, except for maybe the lack of other ponies. During their entire patrol, they had not come across another being that was not a part of the guard as well. Considering the few past experience she had, Diamond Tiara expected at least one or two out and about. Since there were rumors that Sombra was returning and attacking ponies, it made sense.

As they were walking along, a massive scream broke the silence.

Diamond Tiara and Dinky broke into a full run while Rumble flew ahead. The three of them could not see anything actually happening in the street, but it did still sound like it was close. They would just have to make sure to look at every possible place along the street for any sign of who or what--

Rumble came to a sudden stop, turning to look inside the large glass front of what Diamond knew to be Snow Sugar's shop.

"Diamond! Dinky!" he called out. He waved a hoof toward them and pointed at the window. As the pair reached him, they looked inside.

On the counter was what looked like a spider the size of large stallion. It was nearly the size of Bulk Biceps or Big Macintosh. The black shell shined brightly in the light of the shop. It had its back toward the door, and there was also some sort of flickering red light.

Diamond could not see Snow Sugar. Normally she would be...

"Dinky," Diamond called out. "Send the signal. Rumble, with me." She then charged into the shop.

Outside, Dinky was moving away from the building toward the street. Pointing her head up toward the sky, she summoned her magic and sent up a sphere of energy. Once above the buildings, it burst into a bright flare of light, signaling other guards that there was trouble.

Diamond Tiara slammed into the door, shoving it aside with her shoulder. She darted inside, with Rumble right behind her. As soon as they did, the red light stopped. The spider turned around, its red compound eyes blinking at them.

"Okay," Diamond said softly to Rumble, "this thing probably can't understand us. So, our best chance is to keep it here until help arrives. I'll try to distract it. You try--"

The spider jumped. Away from them, actually. Slamming into the swinging doors, its weight and momentum threw them open as it made its way into the back of the bakery.

Making their way around the counter, the two of them found Snow Sugar. The white crystal mare was lying on the floor, curled up in a ball. Her eyes were wide and glassy, with a red glow around them, and Diamond could hear her hyperventilating as she continued to stare at where the giant spider had been.

"Snow?" Diamond said softly as she crouched down and moved toward the mare. "Snow, can you hear me?"

Snow Sugar turned in the direction of Diamond Tiara, but it was hard to tell if she was looking at her or not. The crystal mare then lunged forward, wrapping her front legs around Diamond and burying her face in the guard mare's chest. Loud sobs tore from Snow, racking her body as she clung to Diamond Tiara as if her life depended on it.

"Dinky," Rumble called out, "come on. The thing went in the back. Maybe we can corner and trap it."

Rumble then ran into the back of the bakery shop, with Dinky following him not far behind. Diamond wanted to go with them, but some pony had to stay with Snow Sugar until others arrived. Plus, she was pretty much trapped. Sugar's grip was too tight to get away even if she tried. Probably even strong enough to dent the armor.

"You go that way," Diamond heard Dinky call out, "and I'll go that way."

"No!" Diamond cried out. "Don't! DINKY! RUMBLE!" She needed to stop them. Make sure they at least stayed together and in sight of each other. Because if they were alone, they very well might be vulnerable. Unfortunately, she was stuck -- both figuratively and literally -- with Snow Sugar until some of the other guards finally arrived.

If something happened to either of them, she had no idea what she would do.

However, if nothing happened to them, she was definitely going to give them a thorough ass kicking.

As soon as other guards arrived and Snow Sugar released her, Diamond Tiara ran through the doors and out the back. There, she found a clear spot where Rumble likely took off in one side, and a set of hoof prints leading away in the other.

After considering for a fraction of a second, Diamond started following the hoof prints. It was easier to track Dinky than Rumble, plus Dinky would have to travel straighter and slower. She would have a better chance of finding Dinky than Rumble.

A crowd of figures stood at the intersection. It looked like they were busy looking at something.

No, Diamond Tiara thought as she started running as fast as she could. Please, no. Please no. Please no!

"Guard coming through!" she shouted out. "Clear a path! Clear a path!" She started pushing her way through since they were not moving out of her way anywhere near fast enough.

A pair of crystal pony guards appeared in front of her, blocking the way.

"Ma'am," one of them started, "I don't think you wa--"

Diamond Tiara did not let him finish. With a snarl, she shoved her way past them and into the opening that ponies were standing around.

Lying in the middle of the road was a gray unicorn with a blond mane and tail, dressed in Crystal Empire guard armor. Taking a step closer, Diamond Tiara could see the purple six-pointed star patch on the shoulder that indicated it was a member of Twilight Sparkle's guard. As much as Diamond did not want to admit to herself, she knew. She knew it was her.

Dinky!

Moving closer, Diamond Tiara saw that Dinky was curled up in a ball, shivering. Tears were flowing from her closed eyes, and her lips were moving. Curious, Diamond Tiara moved closer and leaned down. Her ears perked as she listened, trying to pick up what Dinky was saying.

"Mom," Dinky Hooves whimpered out. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, mom. I'm sorry."