Guard Tiara: The Grand Guard Games

After their meal together, Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara had decided to go their own ways. Silver chose to stay at the cafe a little longer and speak with some of the members of guards from other nations. Diamond stopped by the hotel to pick up her key and check to see if her roommates were finished with their intimate fun.

Since it turned out that they were, Dinky and Rumble joined Diamond Tiara. The three walked toward the center of the city, and one of its most prominent attractions. As they went, Diamond Tiara filled the other two about what happened after the three of them had separated.

"Wow," Dinky said, looking out at the crowds. "That's great for Aura. I hope she does well in the competition."

"I don't know," Rumble said, wings twitching. "Even if she got some experience out in the field, it can't be much more than us. So she's going to be pretty green compared to some of the other teams. Her group as a whole is hard to guess, but I don't think she would do well on her own."

The three of them continued on, reaching a crowd. Not really a surprise. After all, The Crystal Heart was a key feature that was vital to The Crystal Empire, and a powerful magic artifact. It would make sense that visitors would want to see it. That was what they were trying to do at the moment after all.

As they made their way through the crowd, a familiar face caught Diamond Tiara's attention. Not far from where they were was a cream coated mare with thick, curly red mane. Rose colored eyes looked around through thick purple glasses. Curious, Diamond Tiara moved to try and get a look of the other mare's flank, just to be sure. As expected, there was a set of peppermint candy canes creating the outline of a heart. Everything Diamond Tiara saw said that it was Twist from Ponyville.

Except that Diamond Tiara knew Twist was not supposed to be here. She had seen the candy making mare at Sweet Apple Acres just the day before. Twist had come by to place a large order. Diamond did not know what Twist was going to do with them (although she could guess since Twist was a candy maker), but it seemed very important. Leaving work and a waiting order for a pleasure trip did not seem like something that Twist would do.

Although maybe she was mistaken. Maybe Twist was in The Crystal Empire for work. It would be a great opportunity to sell more of her treats, as well as have them tried not just by ponies, but creatures from other kingdom's as well. More than likely, there would be several vendors around that had come to do just that. Or maybe they would be set up at the games.

Except why would Twist not mention that she was coming up as well?

Diamond Tiara needed more information. She also had to be careful. If it was not actually Twist, then Diamond had to be sure not to let on that she knew.

It is pretty crowded around here, she thought. Maybe I can pretend to accidentally bump into her.

Weaving through the crowd -- and losing track of Rumble and Dinky in the process -- Diamond Tiara made her way toward either Twist, or something that looked just like her. She tried to keep from being too noticeable, which was probably easier with others pushing, weaving, and bumping into others as well. Soon Diamond Tiara got closer to the other mare. She shifted her position, making sure that "Twist" would see her. As they started passing each other, Diamond dropped and lunged sideways, slamming her shoulder into the other mare's.

"Watch it!" she snapped, turning her head to glare at "Twist" and waiting to get a reaction.

Which was none. Despite what happened, the other mare just kept walking, not even reacting to the impact or the bad attitude.

That made it clear to Diamond Tiara: whoever this other pony was, it was certainly not Twist. Turning around, Diamond Tiara raised a hoof and stamped it down right on the end of the tail to pin it to the ground.

"Okay," Diamond Tiara growled out. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

"What do you mean?" the mare that looked like Twist asked. "I'm just here to see the games just like so many other ponies and such."

"Really?" Diamond stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "Because you look exactly like a pony I know, only I also happen to know that she isn't here." Pushing forward, her snout pressed against the other mare's. "Now, I'm going to ask you again: who are you, and what are you doing here?"

"Twist" took a step back, eyes shifting to look around.

"Diamond Tiara!" Dinky called out from somewhere else in the crowd.

Before she realized what she was doing, Diamond Tiara turned to look toward the shouting.

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, the other mare bolted.

"Hey!" Diamond Tiara shouted before chasing after her. It was not an easy task, trying to keep an eye on the mare while pushing and weaving through the crowd of ponies, griffons, yaks, and minotaurs (which were actually the easiest since she could just slip between their legs). Unfortunately, even though she could get close, it kept slowing her down enough that Diamond Tiara just could not catch up.

After making her way through most of the crowd, "Twist" headed directly toward The Crystal Heart. Soon she lunged, aiming straight for the magical artifact.

A pale blue-white light flashed from the spot, blinding Diamond Tiara and who knows how many others.

Out of desperation, Diamond Tiara threw herself forward as hard as she could. She managed to slam into something, knocking the wind from her lungs and causing her head to spin, a buzzing sound filling her ears. Still, she managed to get a tight hold of something, wrapping her front legs around it. Blinking rapidly and giving her head a shake, Diamond Tiara tried to regain her senses.

The first thing that she managed to notice was that whatever she was holding onto was not furry. It was smooth and hard, kind of like a shell. A blast of cold air struck her, causing a shiver to run down her spine. That helped her realize two things: she was moving very fast, and she was no longer in the city limits.

Blinking the last of the blindness from her eyes, she looked around to get her bearings. A blur of clear blue moved in front of her, creating some of the wind she had noticed earlier.

Wings. Changeling wings.

Mentally, Diamond Tiara started kicking herself for being so stupid. A changeling should have been the first thing she thought of. They were a species that were known for being able to look like ponies for crying out loud.

No. She had to focus. Turning Diamond Tiara tried to find some indication of where she was headed and where the capital city of The Crystal Empire was. Unfortunately, the snow and wind made it hard to see anything less than a few feet away. All that Diamond Tiara could see in any direction was white, white, and more white.

Okay, she thought to herself. Priorities. First, get this thing down and find out what it's up to. Second, find some place to wait out what I'm guessing is a blizzard. Third, get back to the city. Now, how do I do the first one?

If she did something to at least one of the wings, it would stop the changeling, but send them falling to the ground. Even with all the snow, Diamond Tiara did not trust it enough to keep her from getting hurt.

Did changeling's breathe? If so, then maybe she could climb up it more and put it in a sleeper hold? If she did it right, the thing would lose consciousness slowly, and end up on the ground before passing out. Although that would mean trying to get up on the changeling's back completely, without losing her own grip. Plus, if changeling's did not breathe, it would be a waste. Assuming she could have squeezed its neck to begin with. The thing did have an insect-like shell.

With no better ideas, Diamond Tiara kicked up with one of her hind legs, driving her hoof into the changeling's abdomen. It let out a huff as the air was knocked out of its lungs (confirming that yes, changelings do indeed breathe), and dropped down several feet. As it started to climb again, she gave a hard yank.

"LAND!" Diamond Tiara bellowed. "Land or I will bring us both crashing to the ground." She kicked at its underside again, feeling her hoof hit against something else.

Movement caught Diamond's attention. Looking down, she watched as a large, blue crystal in the shape of a heart fell through the air beneath them.

It couldn't be!

The changeling let out a gasp and turned. It shot downward, aiming directly for The Crystal Heart. Forelegs out and wings beating, it flew fast and hard, aiming directly for it. Even with the extra weight of a passenger, it managed to speed forward, getting closer and closer to the heart.

The icy wind blew across Diamond Tiara, making her squint as her eyes watered and burned. She watched as best she could, trying to keep sight of the heart and figure out how far they were from the ground. If she did this just right, it might just work out.

The changeling caught the heart and started to pull up.

Diamond Tiara let go with one hoof. Pulling it up, she slammed it flat down against the changeling, right between the wings where the spine would be.

There was a squeal from the changeling as the wings seized up. The upward movement stopped, but the forward momentum kept them moving as they began falling toward the ground (that was hopefully close).

There was a thud as the two of them hit. A cracking sound and cry of pain escaped the changeling as it took the brunt of the impact. Diamond Tiara slammed into it as she hit, knocking the air from her lungs and sending a burst of pain through her rib cage. The Crystal Heart flew up from where they landed, launching forward before plunging into the snow.

Pushing to get up, Diamond Tiara lashed out to hit the changeling before trying to move toward the heart. Hopefully, she could keep it safe, stop the changeling, and return with it to the capital city. What kind of reward would she get for that?

There was a sudden burst of pain from one of her back legs, causing her to cry out. Looking back, she found that the changeling had bit her, its fangs sinking into the flesh.

"I don't need this," Diamond grumbled. Kicking out with her free foot, she slammed it into the changeling's face. There was a burst of green blood (?) from the creature's nose as it reeled back, one fang missing. Now free of its grip, Diamond hurried toward the heart, grabbing it and holding it against her.

"If you want this back," she growled out, "you're going to have to go through me!" Lowering her head, she bared her teeth. "And considering how you look, I don't think you have a chance."

The changeling stood up and looked at her. Diamond could see that there was a crack across its chest from where it had hit the ground, more of the green blood oozing from it and dripping onto the snow. It narrowed its gaze at her, lips peeling back to reveal the rest of its teeth.

With a buzz of its wings, the changeling took off and flew up into the air.

As soon as it was out of sight, Diamond Tiara sagged, letting out a sigh of relief.

Thank Celestia it didn't call my bluff. The landing may not had been as rough on her, but it had still been pretty bad. Her chest still ached from the impact -- probably bruised her ribs -- she was still seeing spots, and the bite (which had probably left a fang embedded in her leg) would slow her down.

Well, I can't wait around here. She looked up at the sky again. That thing's probably going to get reinforcements. If they find me here, they'll swarm me and get the heart back. She sighed, looking down at the heart. And I had really been hoping to dig in until the snow stopped.

Slipping The Crystal Heart into her jacket, she looked around. Once again, all she saw was white, save for flecks of green and red that were quickly vanishing. With no other reference to use, Diamond Tiara headed toward the direction of where they first crashed, then kept going.

Upside is the snow should make it harder for them to find me. She let out a sigh. Downside is it will make it harder for a rescue party to find me -- assuming one is even coming -- and I have no idea if I'm heading in the right direction.

Dear Celestia, please let this be the right way.