“Aah can’t believe we’re actually goin’ ta the Crystal Empire!”

“I can’t believe we get to stay in the castle there!”

“I can’t believe that Rainbow Dash or your sisters aren’t going to be here with us.”

“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation for the third time since we left,” I finally add much to the deadpans of my friends. “Remember that Rainbow Dash and the other friends of Princess Twilight, my teacher not included, need to stay back for some kind of friendship summit with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” They roll their eyes at that.

“Admit it, yer all sad that Pinkie Pie isn’t gonna be here either,” stated Apple Bloom much to my embarrassment, and the enjoyment of Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

“Admittedly, that would have been great,” I agree, “but having you three here with Mom and Teacher is just as good.” They smile at that. The train ride had been a bit time consuming, but it gave me time to continue to talk with my friends.

“By the way,” Scootaloo started, “you’re planning on fighting that colt who beat you last time, right? What was his name? Comet Blaze?”

“Yes, why?” I asked curiously. This only brought three wicked smiles on my friends’ faces. “Stop that. I don’t know what your all thinking, but stop thinking it right now!”

“Why, Aah have absolutely no idea what yer talkin’ about,” said Apple Bloom with a giggle from our friends. I’m not buying it, but Sweetie Belle raised a hoof.

“Now girls, we shouldn’t tease her, but Cherry Blossom,” she said redirecting her attention at me, “just what is he like?”

“Strong and polite. He’s also very aware of his surroundings and is very intelligent in how he acts and fights,” I respond.

“But is he cute?” Asks Scootaloo bluntly. To say I’m a bit shocked at that is an understatement. “Well? Is he?”

“I don’t have to answer that…” I say with a low voice, but I think it trails off. The rest of the train ride was fairly eventless. We continued having our conversation before Sugar Belle called us all to have lunch, and then discuss the plan once we arrive. Apparently one of the guards is going to meet us at the station to be our escort to the palace.

=====================================================================================

“We welcome you all to the Crystal Empire, and Starlight, it’s good to see you again,” Said a pink alicorn as we enter the castle. Her mane and tail looked like clouds in a combination of purple, pink and yellow, and her Cutie Mark was crystal heart surrounded by two gold ribbons. I can only assume this is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.

“Good to see you, Cadance,” replied Starlight. I could only stare back as she noticed and gave me a giggle. “She isn’t one for formalities either, and especially hates being called by her full name. Do her a favor, and if you have to call her formally, then just call her Princess Cadance.” I nod and turn to the princess to give a small bow.

“And I take, this is the student you took on?” asked the princess.

“Yes, I am, Princess,” I reply back, “it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She seemed to give me a strange smile. “Allow me to introduce my familiar, Azurinne.” As I say that, the cat in question steps forward and bows.

“And who may you be?” she asks Sugar Belle.

“I’m Sugar Belle, your majesty, I’m Cherry Blossom’s adoptive mother,” this brings a smile to the princess’s face, but I bet it’s not as big as the one I have.

“Hello again, Princess!” suddenly shouted an excited Sweetie Belle.

“Why, hello, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom; how have you three been? I don’t think we’ve had a chance to talk since the wedding. You three have sure grown.” To my surprise they are both smiling and blushing at the remarks. “Would you four like to see Flurry Heart? She’s still taking a nap, but if your all quiet then I don’t see any issues with it.”

“We’d love to!” They said in very loud unison.

“I apologize, Princess, but would I be able to go exploring around the city?” This made Sugar Belle give me a very disappointed look. “Mom, I promise that I’ll have Azurinne with me the entire time, and we’ll make sure to avoid any trouble as best we can.” Her face wasn’t budging, however. “Please, Mom?” I counter with a puppy pout.

“Fine,” she finally said with a defeated sigh. “But Azurinne is not to leave your side for a second, understood?”

“Crystal clear!” I respond enthusiastically. “I’ll see you girls later,” the Crusaders nod. “Princess, it was a pleasure meeting you, and I’ll be back later,” I say with a bow that she returns. “Teacher, I promise to be careful, and also to make sure to use the message spell you taught me if the need arises.”

“You better,” she says sternly. With that, Azurinne and I leave to go look through the city. I have one week, and I plan to use that entire week to find whatever about Mom and Dad.

=====================================================================================

“Cadance,” Starlight Glimmer said while still watching her student leave, “can you send some guards to keep an eye on her? I trust her not to go looking for trouble in the city, but I know she also wanted to look outside of it.”

“Don’t worry, Starlight,” said Prince Shining Armor as he entered the room, “Twily already messaged us about your student, and I already have the guards aware of what she looks like. They won’t let her leave.”

“That’s a relief, thanks Shining,” Starlight said in a small smile.

“Now that all of that is settled with,” Cadance says before turning to the three fillies in the room, “I think it’s time for us to go see a certain sleeping foal.”

=====================================================================================

“How much you want to bet that they have measures to prevent us from leaving the city?” asked Azurinne as we past by a few shops. A talking cat definitely turned some heads, but we ignored them for the most part.

“No bet, if Starlight, or Princess Twilight are involved, then that’s guaranteed. I’m surprised we don’t have guards watching us from afar,” I reply back while glancing around to make sure.

“So, what’s the plan?” she asks. “We can’t just leave.”

“Technically we can, you recently became able to turn invisible too, right?” I ask knowing I’m correct. She nods. “Then I say we take today and tomorrow to explore the entire city and the rest of the week exploring everything else.”

“But do you even know what you’re looking for?”

“Not what, Azurinne, who,” I say back. “I can’t say if he’s still here or not, but Comet Blaze is the only lead we have, and we know he was going to come here three months ago.”

“Excuse me, miss,” asked a very elderly voice from behind. We turn to see a well-dressed, elderly earth pony stallion. He is green with a white mane and tale. His Cutie Mark looks like a glass cup. “I can’t help but hearing that you spoke of the young master’s name.” I can’t believe it. First day, and we already have a lead on where Comet is. Best to double check though.

“Comet Blaze?” I ask, and he nods in confirmation. “Yes, I did, I was merely hoping to find him again. We met some time ago, and became friends.” It’s only a lie if you get caught, it’s only a lie if you get caught. “I really do miss him, he was smart, funny, cute…” Stop talking, stop talking. I look at him to see a soft smile.

“Well, I think I may be able to escort you to see the young master, but before I do, where are my manners. I am Well Manners, and I am personal attendant to Count Conflagration, one of the most well renowned ponies in the Crystal Empire.”

“Thank you very much,” I say with a bow.

“Well, you seem very well behaved. I can see that he would be quite smitten with a filly as cute as you,” I hope I’m not blushing, especially with Azurinne grinning at me. “Pardon my asking, but earlier I thought I heard your cat speaking.”

“She was,” I confirm, “she’s a rare breed with highly developed vocal cords. She’s been my best friend for a long time, and I can talk to her about anything.” Technically not a lie, technically not a lie.

“Interesting, if you two would be so kind as to follow me,” he says. When we nod, he turns around and trots off. We of course follow.

“I don’t trust him. It’s too convenient,” Azurinne said in a hushed voice.

“I agree,” I say in the same hushed voice, “but if he’s telling the truth, then it’s the luckiest break we could get. Just don’t let your guard down.”. It wasn’t long before we arrived at a mansion at the edge of the city. Though calling it a mansion was a stretch. It looked like a castle owned by an evil overlord with a thing for fire. “The decorator had an… interesting idea.”

“Young Master Blaze said something similar when he first arrived here,” said Well Manners, “I may speak to the lord of the house about changing the décor.” As we enter the door closes behind us and I find that we’re in a rather large entrance. The carpet is a dingy purple, and the walls are so dark that they might as well be black in color. Statues lining the walls in odd patterns had fire coming out of their claws and mouths.

“Very hospitable,” I reply in a deadpan tone. I couldn’t tell if he caught my sarcasm, but he turned to Azurinne and myself.

“If you two would not mind while I fetch the young master and the lord,” he said, and I bow in response. “Very well, it will take but a moment.” He leaves, and we’re left alone.

“Cherry Blossom, I think we should leave,” Azurinne says in a worried tone.

“This is our chance to get answers, Azurinne, I say we take it.”

“And the fact that we’re in, essentially, the enemy’s base of operations with no back-up, doesn’t have any flags popping up in your head?”

“It didn’t before you said anything,” I said admittedly. “Tell you what, I’ll send a message to Starlight telling her where we are and what we’re doing.” I do so at the sight of her relief. Teacher, I’ve found a lead that may prove useful. I’m at the home of one, Count Conflagration, and Comet Blaze apparently lives here too. I’m not alone, as Azurinne is with me, but I would love it if you could send some pony my way to pick me up just in case. After the message is sent, I turn back to Azurinne, “Good to go.”

=====================================================================================

“At least she remembered to contact me this time,” stated Starlight Glimmer with a sigh as the message from her student reached her. She was currently sitting at the dining table with Cadance and Sugar Belle having a small conversation when the message was received.

“What did she do this time?” asked Sugar Belle with no small hint of annoyance in her voice.

“She found where Comet Blaze lives, and is at the house right now,” this elicited a deadpan from Sugar Belle, and a giggle from Princess Cadance. “Cadance, do you know anything about a ‘Count Conflagration’?” Cadance’s giggle suddenly stopped.

“She’s at his home?” she asked in a worried tone, only to get a nod. “Guards!” she suddenly shouted. Several guards suddenly came in from who knows where. “Go to Count Conflagration’s home, and retrieve my guests. A small pink filly with a red mane, and her blue cat. Make sure they are unharmed when you go retrieve them.” The guards give a salute before leaving in the same manner they came in.

“So, I take it this guy is dangerous?” Asked Starlight in a nervous voice.

“Not dangerous,” Cadance replies, “at least not that any pony is aware of, but something about him just doesn’t feel right.” Starlight and Sugar Belle both look at each other before turning back to the princess. “As you know, I’m the Princess of Love. I can feel love from wherever it is, but I don’t feel any from him. It’s like he has nothing but hate and anger, and that flaming mane of his doesn’t help. I just hope that I’m wrong about him, and he wouldn’t think to hurt her.”

Author's Note

Get it? Warm?... I'll see myself out.