It was a beautiful day in Canterlot, the clear and serene sky and the radiant sun of Celestia all heralded that it would be a great day. Except for a solar royal guard, a pony earth stallion, who was running at breakneck speed towards the palace entrance, drawing the confused and curious looks of the maids and more frowns from his fellow guards. The guard continued through the corridors towards the throne room. Given his haste, instead of knocking and waiting, he pushed both large doors, making them slam and through the threshold.

Princess Celestia, until a few seconds before, was totally focused on signing paperwork, given to her by her personal assistant Raven Inklwel. paused and looked up when she heard the slamming of the doors from the arrival of the guard, while four other royal guards, stationed on either side of the high pedestal where the throne stood, promptly took up a defensive position, taking up their spears, others the hilt of their swords, all with a hard frown, yet they relaxed imperceptibly, still maintaining their hard, stern frown at the entered guard.

"Princess Celestia. News from northen Equestria." he exclaimed the solar guard, running across the large throne room, before stopping near the high pedestal, blinking, realizing that he hadn't respected the strict practice of knocking, waiting for the ruler to let in, and then, to come in. Panting heavily the guard, "Uh your highness. I'm really apologize for not knocking." he said bowing as he grabbed his helmet and if he pulled it off, his forehead was beaded with sweat.

Princess Celestia frowned, worried and with a single wave of her hand, she dismissed her assistant Raven, she nodded silently and quickly left the room, levitating her magic aside, all the paperwork.

"Yes." Celestia said.

The solar guard hesitated to look at her with a worrying expression before saying. "I am simply to tell you thats it. He's returned."

Princess Celestia gasped, her eyes wide, before looking at the solar guard to her right. with frown and tell him to say extremely serious tone: "Fine. Immediately warn Princess Cadance and Shining Armor. To come here."

The guards nodded. "Yes your Highness". They exclaimed before running out of the throne room.

Once the royal solar guards left the hall. Princess Celestia's horn glowed slightly and with her magic, levitate a scroll and a quill. She quickly wrote to her dear student Twilight. To come quickly to Canterlot.

Alessio was running laps around the block, He was wearing a blue and black track suit, thermal t-shirt and gray-black trainers. He maintained a steady speed and regulated breathing. taking into account the turns he did. Once before he appeared in Equestria, to get to a job in the city, he would run or walk the whole nine kilometers when he didn't want to use the car. With the earphones in his ears and the mp3 player in the inside pocket of the whole jacket, he was listening to one of his favorite songs from his playlist. His cell phone as well as his Mp3 were the few things he had when he appeared in Equestria a year ago.

As he ran, Alessio turned his head for a moment and noticed that towards the area of the northern suburbs of Ponyville, a house was being built, but he did not pay much attention to it, as some houses had been built in the area, still in phase of development. Continuing his run, he stopped, panting and glanced at his wristwatch. He had told Twilight he would be back in thirty minutes, and it was time to go back to the library.

"Since today is a beautiful day.Me and Twilight we could spend the day with our friends and go to Canterlot, so he saw Luna and my daughter Moonlight." Alessio thought with a smile, before turning and walking away, when he winced when he heard a scream of anger, despite the fact that he was wearing the earphones and began to think that he was tired from running,to the point that his sight is playing tricks on him, because he thought he had seen the Golden library Oak, with exposing its roots. Fired into the sky like a rocket for about twenty meters and then fell back down, with such force that the ground shook for a few seconds and Alessio had to balance and stare at the dust raised with his mouth open and his eyes wide open, his expression incredulous lasted a few seconds, before frowning and slowly shook his head. "What a heck... Okay. And I thought I had seen it all. Equestria always continues to surprise me." he thought before running to the library. "I hope Twilight and Spike are fine." he murmured.

When Alessio returned to the library and entered inside. He saw the mane of six completely covered in soot and with comically large eyes, like Spike puffing smoke as he pulled off the pillows he had put on like armor and took off his helmet and dropped it to the floor. Twilight gasped slowly trying to calm down before using her magic to give everyone present a clean up, as well as clear the soot from her and the clothes of her friends and the young dragon.

"Okay. What happened here?". Alessio asked, moving his gaze to everyone present.

Spike stretched the cushions, assessed if they hadn't been damaged before putting them back, balancing his helmet on the spade tip of his tail. "Twilight is slightly a little bit. A little too nervous about a new test Princess Celestia wants to put her through." he said.

Twilight glanced at Spike. "I'm not too nervous. Princess Celestia wants to give me some sort of exam. I don't want to be unprepared." she said turning to Spike, before moving her gaze to Alessio. "Our friends they come with me in Canterlot, you come too."

Alessio gave her a smile, he would not have refused the invitation to accompany her mare-friend. And then when Twilight finished the test, whatever it was and they would return to Ponyville, he would go to the hospital to find her beloved Luna and her daughter Moonlight. But he speculated that perhaps he would have met Luna right at the castle, because she was released from the hospital first and had returned to Canterlot, he think.

But Alessio reflecting on it, he thought it didn't make much sense. Princess Luna would inform him when she was released. Anyway he would still go with Twilight to Canterlot, maybe he would meet her. his curiosity was strong, but not how strong was his desire to see Luna and her daughter. He nodded and with a smile. "Then it's best not to keep Princess Celestia waiting. Only Twilight. Just give me no more than ten minutes okay."

Twilight looked at him sideways. While she checked a checklist if nothing was missing from what she would take to Cantelot. "Why ten minutes?." she asked without looking at him.

Alessio pointed to the tracksuit he was wearing. "If I have to meet Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I better not show me like that, up so don't you think?". he said, keeping his smile.

Twilight she look at him, smiled and nodded, while Alessio went upstairs. As he climbed the stairs, Alessio heard his mares-friends tell Twilight that they would be waiting for her and him at the train station.

Alessio took off his tracksuit jacket and thermal shirt, freshened up then took out a bottle of cologne, a recent gift from Rarity, sprayed himself twice on himself, dabbing his neck, and then returned to the room from bed. where he took from the wardrobe a change of clothes which included him; dark gray jeans and a blue long-sleeved shirt and short black he wore over his shirt and got dressed and went downstairs, saw Twilight with a gray backpack more like saddlebags, with her cutie mark symbol. the backpack was so swollen and some rolls of parchment, protruding from the closure, the top of a large book and the top of some quill.

"Ready to go." Exclaimed excited and nervous Twilight with a wide smile, Alessio nodded and after putting on his jacket, followed her and Spike out of the library and after locking the door they headed towards the train station, ready to catch the first available train to reach Canterlot.

* Half an hour later.*

The journey had been uneventful and once we arrived at their destination, after waving goodbye to the rest of the six mane. Alessio, Twilight and Spike headed for Canterlot Castle. Twilight told Spike to wait outside, the dragon nodded saying that he was going to his favorite Donut Joe donut shop for something to eat. Alessio joked by telling Spike that after he would make him run at least two kilometers to dispose of the donuts that the young dragon would eat. Spike's reaction was to give him a dirty look and cross his arms across his chest and an expression that clearly told him not to try.

Immediately after, Alessio and Twilight entered the palace, and headed for the throne room, where when both entered, Alessio he saw only Princess Celestia present.

Twilight cleared her throat hard enough to attract the attention of Princess Celestia, who turned and smiled before gesturing for both of them to enter. Twilight and Alessio, did not have it repeated twice and entered.

"Princess Celestia. You wanted to see both to give me a test. I brought my own grills and play a written test to show my work."

Twilight exclaimed in a tone that sounded both excited and nervous, while with magic, she took off her backpack, saddlebags and placed it on the carpet, but it made her magic vanish a few seconds late, the backpack fell heavily on the floor and all its contents, it spread all over the place, one of the scrolls unrolling to the end, making a straight line that arrives right in front of Celestia's hooves. Twilight's expression at that moment was one of utter embarrassment, then with a nervous smile.

"Sorry. Sorry." she exclaimed the purple unicorn. While behind Twilight. Alessio gathered everything that had scattered, he nevertheless looked around to see if Luna was there or if she was coming, but it seemed that the princess of the night, she would not be present.

Alessio interrupts "Twilight, relax and calm down, the princess hasn't said anything yet, what's your test?. Okay. Anyway. Sorry Princess Celestia but, where is Luna?, I thought she would be here with you?."

"My sister Luna is still in the hospital but she will be back in Canterlot soon, anyway I asked Twilight to bring you here, because you can help us." She replied Celestia looking at him. Alessio frowned, nodded slowly and now he wanted to know why he had been summoned.

Then, without saying a word, Princess Celestia rewound the parchment with her magic, she levitated the rest of the still-scattered contents of the pack and she put it back, and closed the doors of the throne hall. "Listen to me Twilight. This is a different kind to test." She say before she said before being silent, some might say that the princess wanted to create some suspense, but the perplexity and concern visible on her face was a clear signal of how really serious the situation was and what she would be said shortly.

"The Crystal Empire has returned."

Alessio clearly saw Twilight's expression become really confused at first, then, she change into seriously concern before glowing her horn and pulling four books out of the backpack and consulting them. Apologizing that she thought she was studying and she don't think there is anything in any of her books that says anything about this Crystal Empire.

"There wouldn't be." Celestia replied, looking away from her, walking towards the throne. Twilight looked at her in disbelief and exchanged glances with Alessio, who stood with his arms crossed and followed the ruler of Equestria with his gaze. Just listening and then he would ask questions at the right time, and he was getting very curious and in this he was similar to Twilight.

"What does Princess mean?." Alessio asked curiously.

"Because there are very few who remember that it ever existed." explained the princess before taking from the nearby pedestal a pink crystal and with her magic she made it levitate in the center of the room, placing it on the floor. A few seconds later a flash appears and Alessio and Twilight stared in amazement at a three-dimensional reproduction of a glorious city with a majestic castle in the center that seemed to be made of crystal, or this was the appearance, but the buildings also gave this curious aesthetic.

"Even my knowledge is limited about the Crystal Empire. But what I do know is that it contains powerful magic." Celestia continued at explain. And she began told the story.

"A thousand years ago. There was a beautiful kingdom made of crystal, not just buildings, but even his ponies as well and they all lived in harmony. The king who was called Crystal Spectrum Prism, had married a beautiful mare and empires own advisor several years after the kingdom was completed.But, after several years. The king is died in battle against Grogar and his army, the kingdom was left to the two princesses to rule. His wife the Queen Umbra and Princess Amore. Years passed after the king’s death. And one day, for some reason Queen Umbra became dark for power and her heart was black as darkness. Princess Amore had tried to stop her, but she was defeated and turned into a black crystal statue, most likely Umbra destroyed her. later enslaved her own people, trapping them into the crystal mines and forcing them to bring her crystals." She told as she looked, together with Twilight and Alessio, the three-dimensional image that showed a female figure at the top of the building but it was enought difficult to see the her appearance, but not her evil grin, while at the base we saw the crystal ponies in chains. Alessio's eyes will become cold as winter while frowning, he stared at the scene. Beside him, Twilight stared at the image with obvious tension.

"This went on for several years until Luna and I were informed of what was happening at Empire Crystal. And we went to the Empire Crystal and we tried to stop Queen Umbra's reign. We won the battle, turning it into shadow and banished Umbra to the ice of the North. But, the consequences were serious. Despite our victory in the battle. Queen Umbra used all of her dark magic and placed a curse on the all empire. The curse wrapped in a veil of black mist. The fog lifted and the city was lost forever along with the residents themselves. Luna and I, we couldn't figure out how an entire empire had disappeared."

At the end of the story. The pink crystal glowed and the replica of the Crystal empire vanished, then, Celestia levitated the crystal in mid air to nearly two meters above the floor.

"If the empire is full of hope and love, these things are reflected all cross of Equestria". Celestia said before generating a golden ray towards the crystal which generated the the visible spectrum of light, various colors of the rainbow as does a prism exposed to light. Twilight fix a mouth open and eyes widens to surprise. Alessio smiled surprised as he watched, but soon his smile faded as he turned his gaze to Celestia.

"But if hatred and fear take hold." Celestia says frowned , her eyes turned green with a purplish trail effect, and generated a black ray, which hitting the crystal, in turn generated rays that hit the floor and black crystals sprouted from it. Twilight and Alessio gasped and stared at the scene in shock.

The black crystals quickly vanished as Princess Celestia used her magic and shatters into pieces that quickly turned to dust. Then the princess turned her gaze to both of them.

"But now that he is returned. We fear the possible return of Queen Umbra, that she might try again to steal the Crystal Empire and perhaps Equestria as well. Which is why so I need your help to find a way to protect it and impede the Crystal Empire to disappear again.” Princess Celestia spoke up and her tone of voice didn't hide that she was shaken to the core of this happening.

Twilight lowers her ears, looked slowly at the floor, as if not to show her expression full of worry and tension, uncertainty. "You wants me to help protect an entire empire it." she said in hoarse he whispered.

Princess Celestia nodded as she put the pink crystal back on the pedestal. “That's why I said a different kind of test, but I'm sure you'll pass it.” She said reassuringly.

Twilight stared at her mentor for a few seconds, averted her gaze, towards the floor with a thoughtful expression, before shaking Alessio's hand close to her, she looks up with a determined expression. "How do i begin!." she exclaimed with determined. Alessio nodded slowly, in agreement with Twilight.

A genuine smile of pride appeared on Princess Celestia's face as she advanced towards her pupil. "By joining with Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire." she replied.

Twilight eyes spark with surprise happiness, she smiled at her brother's name. "My brother is there!".

Princess Celestia nodded as she accompanied Twilight and Alessio to the doors to the throne room.

"He is. And there and your friends, Alessio and Spike will join you there." Celestia said with a smile, before stopping on the threshold of the door and letting her and Alessio's favorite student pass.

"I have a lot of faith in both of them and I'm sure Twilight, will you pass this test." Celestia said turned to Twilight, and added something about her next level of her studies.

Alessio glanced hesitantly at the banner representing Luna's cutie mark. He turned to look at Princess Celestia and Twilight and already knew what to do. Maybe he was madness, he realized it, but he couldn't help but smile, he had already decided. He had no intention of leaving her mares-friends behind while Equestria was in danger. As he had no intention of letting an evil overlord take over the empire or even Equestria for himself. Then, Alessio walked over to Twilight and put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a reassuring smile. "Twilight can count on us, even on me."

Twilight turned gave him a look and a semblance of a smile, as if to thank him withous said. Before look her mentor Princess Celestia. soon the fear to a possible failure squeeze her inside.

"But what if i fail." she says hesitantly.

"You wont." Celestia say with tone calm and reassured.

"B-but what if.." she say agains, before felt the hand from Princess Celestia on her shoulder. Twilight rise the gaze on her mentor.

"You wont. " In response Princess Celestia shook her head and reassured her, say at that she had full confidence in her success. Twilight slow nodded as began walking to hallway. following by Alessio.

"But Twilight. In the end it must be you and you alone who ultimately assist princess Cadance and Shining Armor and doing all what to be done to protect the Empire Crystal, do you understand." Celestia told her, Twilight nodded with determination.

"Go then, no time to waste." Celestia concluded, before closing the doors of the throne room.

Then, once Twilight and Alessio had gone out of the castle, where Spike was waiting for them sitting on the steps of the inner courtyard and he are over the last donut. But when the dragon asked Twilight how her test had gone, the purple unicorn remained silent and with a distressed expression before she began to sing a song of failure.

Alessio strode towards the railway station, felt an unpleasant sensation in the pit of his stomach, worries and fears, going without having to consult Luna about where she was going. Yet there was an iron determination in his eyes, he shrugged as he continued walking.

Alessio, Twilight and Spike reach the train station, where their friends were waiting for them. Twilight informed them to their surprise and confusion about the situation that awaits their next destination: Crystal Empire.

Once everyone had taken their seats inside the passenger carriage, while Twilight and her friends, busy talking or socializing with each other about the situation that awaits them. Alessio got up from his seat and silently moved back a couple of seats. He looked up at the window and stared at Canterlot Castle and wondered if it was a good idea to throw himself headlong into such a risky undertaking. then, he couldn't help but smile at the big frown he'll have when. Him if he goes home. his smile faded, he turned just enough to look at his mares-friends.

Twilight and the others all had excited faces since they were going to a vanished kingdom several centuries ago.

Rainbow Dash had a determined expression on her face as she wanted to fight this Umbrian Queen and save the empire. Applejack also had a smug gaze like hers, as she never took kindly to those who enslaved ponies, even their own relatives.

Fluttershy stood next to Rarity, the yellow pegasus looked around nervously, sighing softly, squeezed her hands and nodded as if to give herself the courage, knowing she wanted to help her friends. Rarity, on the other hand, seemed rather calm. While Pinkie Pié hummed with her mouth shut, slowly swinging her tail to the beat.

Despite the dull clangor coming from the wheels, Alessio could hear and had to listen well, to hear that his mares-friends, were all busy discussing how and why this empire disappeared into thin air for so many centuries ago, from make it appear several centuries later.

Alessio frowned as he looked back at the window, the sky began to darken, to the point that it made it slightly difficult to glimpse the distant peaks, except for the snow-capped peaks, while snowflakes began to swirl in what promised to be a real blizzard.

But also Alessio as if he was wondering. He imagined that perhaps humans arrived at the same time parents Celestia and Luna's, brought humans into their world to fight against war. Perhaps the humans back then would have heard or seen the Crystal Empire before Queen Umbra made it vanish?. Many questions and hypotheses were going through his mind. There was one more thing he wondered, but he had many serious doubts that Queen Umbra might have been another victim of of the lord of darkness, Grogar. Or maybe it wasn't like that at all.
With a grim frown, staring at his own reflection on the glass, he declared firmly to himself. "The true answers will only come by themselves".

“Oh man, I can't wait to go to the Crystal Empire. I wonder what it would be like." RD said doing a somersault in mid-air inside the passenger carriage they were in.

"Maybe because it most likely crystallizes or something." AJ smiled as Rainbow landed sitting on the seat with her arms crossed, growling at her smart ass.

"Very well girls. Once again girls, we must be alert and ready for anything. Princess Cadance and Shining Armor are already doing their best to try to keep the barrier that protects the empire strong, even as we are talking now, but not we know how long the shields will last." Twilight said nervously. Her friends all nodded with a worried and determined expression on their faces.

Alessio leaned against the back of the seat, before taking out his wallet from the inside pocket of his jacket, opened it and took out a small photo. and with a sigh he looked at her. Above was a photo of him and Luna with their newborn filly, all smiling and happy while still in the hospital the day she was born.

Alessio gently touched the photo of Luna and his daughter Moonlight with her thumb. he turned to look at his mares friends for a moment, before looking away and looking at the photo again, his worries and fear of failing and he felt how helpless, how the fear to never seeing his daughter again crushed his heart. Then there he chased away. He frowned in a convinced and determined expression.

He began to feel better. Self-confidence, combined with absolute lucidity, surfaced, sweeping away fear and worry like snow in the sun. "I have to succeed. It's not just for Equestria. But for my Luna for all my mares-friends and especially for my daughter." he thought of him with renewed iron determination, indeed he found himself smiling as if to defy fate. He rubbed his thumb on the photo and put it back in his wallet and stowed it in the inside pocket of his jacket. Then, looking out the window again, the blizzard had increased and he could hear the howl of the wind, despite the clatter of the wheels.

Alessio closed his eyes, took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose, when he opened his eyes, he found himself staring into two blue eyes. With eyes wide open and the right hand ready to reject whoever was in front of him. Then he sighed in relief as he stared at Pinkie Pié, who was blinking slowly like a butterfly's beating.

"So .... What are you thinking?". he asked with a chuckle as she stared at him in the seat.

Alessio shook his head and gave her a smile. "Nothing special Pinkie. I just needed something to calm my nerves."

"Oh like that picture of you, Luna and your filly in the hospital." Pinkie said pointing to the pocket where Alessio kept his wallet and the photo he kept inside.

Alessio nodded with his characteristic smile. Before finding himself bombarded by his mare friend Pinkie, who sat astride him and hugged him tightly with enthusiasm. Alessio smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist, returning her tight embrace and then he gave her a sweet kiss on her cheek. Pinkie's tail cocked up like a flagpole before swirling several times and lowering it as she giggled gracefully.

"Whatever happens. I promise I will protect you and the rest of us from any harm." Alessio said with a smile assuring her that he would always be with them until the end. Alessio knew and understood the danger that he and they were running. He wanted to protect his mares and join them on this mission, he was ready to take all risks.

In response, Pinkie Pié gave a big bright smile and spread her arms, suddenly confetti flying around her. "We promise we'll have a big party when we defeat that evil Queen." she said to her as she poked her tongue out in a playful way. Pinkie knew very well that he was there for her and her friends, it proves that he will always be with them until the end, even without the Pinkie sense.

Alessio chuckle as gave her a smile. "This is for you, Pinkie." he said, before giving her a little kiss on the lips. the kiss lasted a few seconds before being abruptly interrupted by a loud cry.

"Hey, hey, hey! It's not fair." Rainbow Dash shouted, as she witnessed the whole thing, she leapt into midair where she hovered. "I want a kiss too! " she told her as she shrugged her shoulders and began shaking her arms in frustration, anger and jealousy and her face twisted into an irritated frown, she seemed about to snap at any moment.

Pinkie Pie stuck out her tongue and lowered her eyelids as she looked at her friend Rainbow and all her friends, visibly jealous. "Okie dokie lokie. Hee, hee, hee. I got the kiss first. You have been too slow." she said humming playfully.

Alessio began to worry as he stared at all of his mares friends, who witness the kiss he gave Pinkie and all of them now, glaring at the party pony, crossing their arms over their chests. It is for an instant, Alessio thought he heard sparks flying all around inside the passenger carriage. his instinct told him not to stay longer. But there was a problem. His attempt to free himself from Pinkie Pie's grip was in vain, besides she was astride him and her incredible strength of being a land pony, to free herself he would have to try to rise with her embraced, but he would only risk, to throwing gasoline on the fire.
Alessio could only watch Twilight and the rest of the mane six, which walked towards him. Alessio inhaled slowly, ready for an imminent bombardment by his mares friends.
Instead it did not come.

"Good. So, Why I'm stealing the second kiss! .. Now!." She screamed Rainbow with a grin before flapping her wings and speeding towards Pinkie and Alessio.

"Dashie calm..." Alessio says eyes widened at Rainbow's speed, cursing mentally, before he felt a rapid movement of air that forced him to narrow his eyes, but he saw that Rainbow had risen and less than a second later. Alessio felt grabbed from under his armpits and suddenly pulled up. He sighed soft and he muttered. "Forget it ..."

Pinkie smiled and released her grip at the same moment her friend Rainbow grabbed their colt friend, giggled as she saw the cyan pegasus carry Alessio a long way away and started making out with him.

Alessio suddenly finds himself sitting on another bench seat, with Rainbow Dash in midair in front of him, who wrapped her slender and strong arms behind his neck and kissed him on the lips. Her tongue rotated with his. Alessio returned the kiss, but just as he was about to wrap his arms around his cyan pegasus mare of speed. Alessio saw her incredulous expression and her moderate cerise eyes of the speed pegasus open wide with disbelief, before being pulled away.

"Hey. What the heck." She exclaimed Rainbow as she was abruptly pulled back, to one or more of her seats behind her, thanks to a lasso cord tied around her thin waist. which Applejack herself had previously pulled out and used on her friend. Then, once Alessio was free. Applejack joined Alessio and sat astride him, face to face with him, and then, she with a seductive smile and one hand, pulling back her cowgirl hat.

"So, sugar cube how about that kiss" Applejack said leaning towards her face and wraps her arms around his neck.

Alessio smiled, but his smile soon faded from what he saw behind her. Rainbow Dash had freed herself from the lasso and joined her friends, who were behind the bitch on the farm.
However Twilight her horn came to life and levitated Applejack in midair and left her on another seat, and then, Twilight teleported next to Alex and sat on his lap and snuggle tight, but she and her friends Applejack, who had got back on her feet and reunited with her friends, they exchanged glances, even a complicit smile as if to say, without saying it, a respite of complicity.

Alessio shifted his gaze to Spike, looking for help, but frowned when he saw that his dragon friend was snoring loudly in his seat. Then, Alessio turned to his mares-friends who stretched their hands towards him, to receive a kiss from him, before bombing him all together.
"That's right, sometimes trouble comes for me." He groaned Alessio as he thought.

* Several minutes later *

Alessio got out of the passenger carriage, very relieved to be alive and outlived his friend mares. That they were now quiet inside the carriage. Then Alessio opened the door of the narrow bathroom and entered it. He clicked the lock and went to the sink, put the cap on and turned on the water, took a quick look at the bandage he still had on his hand, the one that Luna had fractured when she was giving birth to her daughter Moonlight. Alessio knew how effective the healing magic of unicorn doctors was and he had also used Zecora's healing herb potion and Twilight had also used her healing magic and had thus greatly reduced the recovery time, so the bandage was only used to avoid that he made sudden movements. However Alessio took off the blindfold and threw it in the nearby basket. He opened and closed his fingers and slowly turned his wrist and smiled. mentally thanking Twilight for her healing magic and Zecora's potions.

Alessio looked down at the sink which was slowly filling with water, before looking up at the mirror and looking at himself. he winced in surprise at the makeup his mares friends put on his face from the previous bout of kisses in the passenger carriage. He had six different colored kiss marks all over his face, each different from a different mare.

Alessio began to examine the kiss marks on his face. He started with the two on his forehead, which were lemon yellow and light orange which he guessed belong to Fluttershy and Applejack. Then, Alessio examined the kiss marks on his right eye and left cheek, they were a dark purple and very light pink, which belong to Rarity and Pinkie Pie. finally, the latter two were unique among others. Since the one on his lips was a slightly shimmering lavender, Alessio was sure it belonged to Twilight, while the other was shimmering blue which seemed to make the visible spectrum of light like a prism. The latter had honestly surprised Alessio when he realized that he belonged to Rainbow Dash.

"I never would have guessed that Dashie, she used lipstick, usually she always acts like a tomboy." Alessio thought with a smile. He chuckles before looking down at the now perfectly filled sink. He put his glasses on the edge of the sink, then turned off the water, got some soap and started rinsing off the lipstick marks, rubbed it off, took some more rinse water to make sure there was no. no trace of it remained. He looked up in the mirror to see if the lipstick marks were gone, he nodded satisfied as water dripped from his face, the tip of his nose and chin, grabbed a towel on one side and wiped his face.

After making sure her face was completely dry. But at the very moment when Alessio took off the ironed towel from his face and looked at himself in the mirror. Stiffening, Alessio began to take a quick step back, only to slam his back against the wooden wall, he looked around, to observe the whole bathroom and then, the small window. Besides the furious howl of the blizzard outside, he could also hear her accelerated breathing. When he had looked in the mirror, in addition to his reflection, it seemed that there had been someone staring at him from the outside, from the window to his right. Something like a pair of red eyes with sick green sclera with purple trail effect.

Alessio recovering from the sudden fright, slowly calms down, staring at the mirror and the reflection of him, then he let out a small sigh and removes the cap, with a gurgle the dirty water drained emptying the sink as disposing the towel into the dirty cloth basket.
Putting his glasses on his nose, Alessio stared at the mirror once again frowning, before looking at the window, "What the hell was that." he murmured and left the bathroom.

As he was returning to the passenger carriage, Alessio stopped to see that something strange was happening in the passenger carriage behind him. Alessio frowned as he observes a royal solar guard standing in the center of the carriage and brandishing a halberd and pointing it at someone, while shouting orders to the other guards, but due to the roar of the train wheels, it was very difficult to hear what he was saying. But judging by his expression, he was really angry.

Alessio wondered what was going on in there. He might as well have ignored it but it wasn't in his nature, so he opened the sliding door and looked at the guards. "What the hell is going on here?." he asked drawing the attention of the guards present.

A dozen faces, of which five were visible from the open visor of the helmet they were wearing, turned towards him. The guard who wielded the halberd immediately straightens to attention, knocking the blunt end of the shaft, with a loud bang on the carriage floor, as he saluted him with a military salute. "Prince of the Night!. Sir!. My name is Sturdy Spear!. It is a real honor to serve you Sir!". he said in a tone of voice that sounded almost like a scream, bowing immediately afterwards.

With slow steps Alessio stepped aside and looked over the shoulder of a Sturdy Spear. To see against whom, he was brandishing his halberd. In the center of the carriage were two stallions who had raised their hands in surrender.

The stallion on the left was a bat pony, lean muscle, with night blue fur and a light blue mane and tail, eyes opal. wearing a long-sleeved white collared shirt and khakis and black combat boots. on the right side of his pants was how cutie mark, an night sky with a shield and sword in front. Beside him was a dark backpack.

While the stallion on the right is a light gray graphite unicorn while its mane and tail are dark gray, muscled. eyes blue. Wearing a navy blue shirt and gray jeans and khaki hiking boots. his cutie mark visible on the side of her jeans. it was a brilliant book and gears. Beside him was a large black and gray bag.
Both stallions still held their hands raised in surrender to the guards.

Alessio turned his gaze on a Sturdy Spear, which seemed to have calmed down, but continued to stare at the two stallions with anger in his eyes.
"May I ask what's going on here?." Alessio asked the guard not far from him.

"That's exactly what we want to know too." answered a serious male voice from the other side of the passenger carriage.

All the guards present, Alessio and the two stallions, turned towards the back of the passenger carriage. Alessio saw that another solar guard had entered and all the guards immediately stiffened and stood at attention. Even a Sturdy Spear that until a second ago seemed capable of incinerating someone with its eyes, now seemed to be quite uncomfortable as it straightened to attention, staring with wide eyes in a mixture of admiration, respect and tension at the solar guard just entered. In the carriage.

A very tall pegasus stallion, tall at 5 feet and 8 inches of height, muscled with raven black fur and a mane that almost matched, sparing the slight shade of gray that ran through him on his temples and tips due to old age, slight wrinkles to the ocean blue eyes. They indicated beyond and the soft feeling of paternal protection to those close to him, but also that of one who has seen so many in the life of a royal guard. The wings also closed behind the back, were larger than the norm of the other pegasus, since he had to close them more so as not to hit the sides of the sliding door as he went through it.
Alessio carefully studied the guard and saw the various scars he had along his closed wings and on his sinewy arms.

Alessio noticed to his surprise and curiosity that the armor of this solar guard was different from those of the guards present. It was gilded, slightly opaque in places from both wear and battle marks as a souvenir, but was in excellent condition, Celestia's sun cutie mark symbol was located at heart height, and had elaborate ornamentation on the reinforced plates shoulder straps. A sword positioned behind a sun effigy shield. it was visible on the exposed hip and on the flank of the armor. At First sight he didn't seem to be carrying weapons or scabbards with him, but he looked like someone who shouldn't be underestimated even for a moment.

If all the sun guards present tried to conceal their expression of respect and discomfort, they succeeded very badly. Sturdy Spear immediately straightens to attention, hitting the blunt end of the shaft, with a strong blow to the carriage floor, he had to look up, as he greeted him with a military salute. "G-general". he cleared his throat quickly before continuing to speak. "General Sun Steel!. Sir!. Your presence here is a real great honor!. Sir!." he screamed before falling silent as the tall pegasus rubbed his right temple with one hand and looked at him sternly.

"Lower your tone. Sturdy Spear. We're not all deaf." spoke a female voice with a slight prench accent that rang from behind General Sun Steel. Then, alongside the tall pegasus was another royal guard, but lunar.

Sturdy Spear swallowed loudly and bowed his head in apology and respect. "I apologize to both of you. General Sun Steel and General Obsidian Sword." the guard with the halberd said in a normal voice.

General Obsidian Sword was a bat pony mare with dark gray fur, lean muscles, her two-tone mane and tail in petrol blue and midnight blue that appeared slightly lighter with old age, slit amber eyes alert and piercing, surrounded by slight wrinkles. and gave a half smile, barely showing her fangs. She was a full foot shorter than the pegasus stallion beside. Obsidian wore the onyx armor of the moon guards, however in addition to being slightly more blurry, it looked light but durable, featured elaborate ornaments and the crescent moon symbol Luna cutie mark, at heart height, the entire armor fitted snugly against her nice hourglass figure, with gauntlets they covered her forearms and leggings that reached up to the mid-thigh. her cutie mark on her hip visible from the space of the chainmail flap was a sword-like formation of obsidian crystal. she wore a scabbard with a re-lined longsword and reinforced gauntlets. She kept her wings closed, but it was evident that her right wing had been damaged and healed perfectly, but the lack of claw on the her wing was visible.

"Relax, you are not in trouble". he reassured Sun Steel in a tone that sounded fatherly, addressing the guard with the halberd.

Alessio turned to look at a sturdy spear, but he noticed out of the corner of his eye that both generals were watching him, before repeating with a Sturdy Spear, what had been his question for the third time.

Sturdy Spear frowned turned to the two stallions and pointed at them, looking at the two with anger in his eyes. "I'm sorry sir. But these stallions are under arrest for violating royal orders." He exclaimed.

"Now wait, I can-". the petrol blue bat pony said interrupting, but he fell silent as the guard pointed the halberd tip at his neck.

"Silence scum!. You have the right to remain silent!." said sturdy spear keeping the spear pointed at the neck.

Alessio frowned, observing the expression of the stallions who seemed to really look like they don't know what was going on, so he decided to help them a little and understand later why they are here and they found themselves in a bad situation like this or by some coincidence, which for the record Alessio did not like, since nothing happens by chance, those stallions found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Alessio touched the shoulder of a Sturdy Spear, drawing his attention to himself. "At ease, soldier." then, he turned his gaze to the stallions, "I'd like to talk to them. Preferably alone." he said turning to the guard. He could have said that they were with him. But at the last minute. He changed his mind and decided more wisely to talk to the two of them first, to make him understand their situation and because they were under arrest.

Sturdy Spear, he raised an eyebrow at his request. however the guard noticed that his tone of voice sounded stranger than before and he frowned. "Are you sure, sir?. You seem unsure of yourself." he said raising an eyebrow at him.

Alessio cast a stern look at the guard. "Yes, I'm very sure." he said calmly. "Five minutes, give me five minutes to talk to these two."

Then, he turns to look at the two generals present. "And at least to inform these stallions of their situation they are in and what risks they will face. I only ask you for five minutes. The guard here, could leave a couple of guards at the exits for safety, if you would agree." he added, addressing the two generals.

Sun Steel frowned and then looked at the Obsidian Sword at his side. The general bat pony nodded slowly, "On other occasions, we would have been against it. But I agree with the 'Prince of the night', and you Sun Steel?." the bat pony asked him and Alessio did not escape that as the mare pronounced the title of prince of the night, it sounded like a mockery. Alessio he frowned, thinking that his idea to try to help the stallions had gone up in smoke.

Sun Steel watched the human for a few seconds, before smiling and shrugging. "Me too is fine." then, his expression became very serious. "Only five minutes." he says.

Alessio frown nodded.

Sturdy Spears frown stern. "I'm not sure. With all due respect sir, With all due respect sir, but he seemed unsure of yourself."

Alessio cast a stern icy, hard look at the guard. "You questioned my authority and wise decision by your generals, guard? I don't think you'd like your captain to hear about it now, right?" he added in a colder tone.

Sturdy Spear's stern gaze quickly became concern, he swallowed and began to sweat at the thought of talking to his superior, to question the prince of the night and the two legendary generals. The thought of the stern consequences of a move to a place he definitely didn't want to be degraded is far worse than all guards fear. Swallowing, the guard nodded slowly and spoke. "S-sorry ... sir. N-no I mean, your highness." he said he kept his posture but shook a bit as he stood in fear.

Obsidian Sword and Sun Steel, crossed their arms over their chests, looking seriously not only at the guard with the halberd, but also at the human. However Alessio understood that he had been a little too hard on the guard, his gaze di lui softened a little, his lips parted in a good-natured and reassuring smile.

Alessio knew that the royal guards, like any other law enforcement force, were only doing their duty. He claps his hand on the shoulder. "Calm down, Sturdy Spear. You are doing your duty but, you will agree that it would not be fair if due to a misunderstanding caused by a mistake, innocent people end up in the cell right?. Please make sure that the mane 6 are alright back there alright. I’ll deal with these stallions for now. Five minutes." He reassures him with a smile.

Sturdy Spear nodded slowly, he could understand why Princess Luna and Princess Celestia choose him to be Princess Luna's prince of the night. Relaxing after the slight fright and agreeing on the words spoken by the prince of the night. He would give five minutes to talk to those two stallions. He knew he wasn't like those other nobles and could handle himself just as well. so, stamping the end of his weapon on the floor, he bows and after ordering the other guards out except two to check the exits, and respectfully greeted both generals, he leaves to check the mane six.

Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword, both stared at the human. Then it was the tall pegasus who spoke. "Princess Celestia had informed us that her pupil and carriers of the elements of harmony were on the train. We'll be back in five minutes to find out how it went. In the meantime, I'll meet their." the solar general said with a smile, but his gaze became serious as he looked at Alessio. "Five minutes to talk to these two stallions, if that doesn't resolve the matter I'd ask you to step aside in agreement." he said politely but the tone of his voice was clear that he took his duty as a solar guard very seriously.

Alessio returned his gaze and grin. "I will do everything possible General Sun Steel."

Sun Steel smiled and clapped his hand on the human's shoulder, before turning and heading for the door. Followed by Obsidian, who after adjusting the scabbard tied to hers belt she looked at the human and smiled, "greetings, 'Prince of Night'." she saying, before going out the door, left open by Sun Steel, but the stallion kept his eyes away and motioned for the other guards to come out.

Alessio watched the guards and Generals Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword leave, except for two guards, who had remained alert at the entrance doors on either side of the carriage for safety. Then, Alessio breathed a sigh of relief, before turning and frowning at the stallions present. They both took a big sigh of relief.

The petrol blue Bat pony chuckles nervously before speaking, as he sat on the bench next to the seat, he sighed. "Thanks guy, for the rescue. You saved our hips for this. And maybe, you got us out of big trouble." he said with a slight prench accent, waving his hand in approval.

Alessio gave both of them a semblance of a smile, crossed his arms. He wanted to know why the two stallions are here on the train. That Princess Celestia has ordered no other ponies to board and now the two of them are here and have risked a lot, even now, of being put in handcuffs. "Your are ver lucky to save yourselves guys. But you are very away out of trouble out. We have little time, and an explanation is needed for helping you and hoping to be totally out of trouble." Alessio said in a serious very tone.

The gray unicorn raises a hand to offer him a handshake. "I am terribly sorry for the situation and thank you very much for helping us anyway. My name is Brilliant ingenuity or just call me 'Brilliant' for short. Specialized engineer and Scholar."

"Nice to meet you Brilliant." Alessio said shaking his hand, before he had to grit his teeth. Because despite being a unicorn, Brilliant had a strength and firm grip that would have impressed even a land pony.

The petrol blue bat pony smiles, showing a little the sparkling white fangs and shakes Alessio's hand. "My name and Night Shield. And ... I should have started here today as a lunar guard," he said in an embarrassed tone as flapping their wings and rubbed the back of his neck.

Alessio smiled and happy to hear that Night Shield is also a lunar guard, but the bat pony was almost on his first day of service, however Brilliant was a scholar, perhaps this information would be useful to completely resolve their situation, then, frowning Alessio he stared at both stallions and asked the big question: "So guys, how did you get on the train?. Princess Celestia recorded the train for me and for mane 6".

Night Shield cleared his throat before speaking. "I'm sorry, Your Highness. You see. But we had all been on our way for quite a while and we must have fallen asleep even when the train stopped. We were able to wake up after that guard yelled and brandished his weapon at us. He's a real savage brute if you allow me to say it. he muttered, folding his arms, flapping his wings in irritation.

Alessio chuckled a bit and shrugged. "You should know. He was just doing his solar watch duty." he said.

Brilliant chuckled as he crossed his arms across his chest and tried to look out the window, narrowing his eyes to try to recognize the scenery. "So exactly where are we going since we're almost joining the journey." he said, he never liked getting into trouble with the royal guards and always kept his distance when it came to crimes. But since the guard had nearly arrested them and this train was assigned only to the princess's orders, she knew they were going somewhere they shouldn't have.

Alessio frowned and nodded, decided to inform them where they were going and told him. "This train will take us as far as possible before a wagon picks us up. We are all heading for an empire called Empire Crystal."

Night Shield and Brilliant ingenuity, cocked their heads in confusion and exchanged glances with each other. They have all lived in Equestria all their lives, but have never heard of an empire called Empire Crystal before. but if this empire is as special as it sounds, it must be very important indeed.

Alessio had little time so, he began to explain the story about it, including what happened a thousand years ago. The expression of the two stallions with the jaw touching the ground and the eyes wide open, made him smile, albeit short-lived, since the matter is really very serious.

"Hence the choice. We will come to help you or.. We will spend a night in the Equestria prison." Night said as he crossed his arms over his chest, with a thoughtful expression, then looked up at the human, who nodded affirmatively. Night Shield smirked and gave him the military salute. "Well. Night Shield recruit. Ready for service, sir".

Then, Night Shield began to explain that he had passed the lunar guard training in prench with top marks, had good weapon skills, and his dream, albeit like his father, was to become a moon guard but also to become a guard. solar, it would have made a difference.

"There is no need to be formal. And please call me Alessio or Alex if you prefer, and not your Highness or prince of the night. All right?". Alessio said raising his eyes to the ceiling.

Slightly fed up with the fact that recently many guards called him by those titles. That he hadn't earned it because legally. He was not an official prince, but since his name mentions being the father of Luna's filly. The royal guards and many others who have heard of the news all seem to treat him like royalty. But as fantastic as it sounds for Alessio, to be called a prince. And how it happened that they called him the Hero of Canterlot. Alessio honest prefers to be and remains a common citizen as much as possible and notoriety and advertising is not his style.

Brilliant smiling, he approaches Alessio and presents his hand for a handshake. "I can be very helpful in helping you solve any problems we may encounter and in your quest and you can believe me that I am a good fighter." he said.

Alessio was very impressed with how much Brilliant, he had different acquaintances, and for sure he thought he would get along well in science with Twilight. And he was sure that the light gray unicorn would help them a lot in their search when they arrived in the Empire Crystal.

Alessio shook his hand. "For sure an extra hand in our research will be useful and documenting ourselves about the empire, when we get there we could find useful information and lead us to discover something. However, both be careful when we get there." he said and they both nodded.

However Alessio had not minimized about what dangers they could all face. although it was said that the empire is huge but also dangerous. And there have been no new updates though, Queen Umbra is still around and what he feared most was that since the Crystal Empire was back, she might be back too.

After a few minutes of brefing where Alessio briefly explained to the two stallions what he knew so far. Alessio asked them an important question and their last choice. Whether they were ready to come with him or want to go back.
But surprisingly. They both did not let him continue. Night Shield and Brilliant Ingenuity said would take the risk and not back down, nodding in approval.

Alessio nodded and at that moment Sturdy Spear returned. Alessio begins to explain to the solar guard that Night Shield and Brilliant ingenuity would join the trip and Night informed that he was a guard ready to enter service. Despite Sturdy Spear's incredulous expression, he nodded and told them and Alessio to reach mane 6, there were still several minutes of travel left.

Alessio as he headed towards the passenger carriage where his mares-friends were, to let them know the newcomers who come to help. He moved his gaze to the windows, narrowed his gaze. If they failed, everyone will become a slave to a dark queen or worse.

And that he would never let that happen. At any cost.

When he returned to the carriage. Alessio explained to his mares friends and to the two generals present on the two stallions who were with him. He explained their, that both stallions. They had been in the wrong place and at the wrong time, he told them that they would help them in their mission to the Crystal Empire.

Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword told the two stallions that they admired their bravery and asked if they were really sure of doing it and were surprised when both stallions say they wouldn't back down and that they would help regardless of cost and risk.

Of mane six, five of them seemed to agree, but the same could not be said of Twilight, that she showed that she didn't like the idea of her. She did not want any innocent civilians in the chaos and that it was better to take them home could become a battlefield. Alessio has spent the last few minutes trying to calm her down, and the purple unicorn gradually calms down and eventually gives up and decides to accept that the two stallions come too, finally convinced that they would need all the help possible.

Once everyone is convinced. Alessio smiled to see that the two stallions took their seats and conversed with his mares-friends. everyone seemed to agree.

Alessio frowned as he watched Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword exit the carriage. Both generals nodded at him in greeting before leaving. But one thing he had noticed in them when he first met them is that they. They acted as if they had already met a human being.

But his introspection was interrupted when Alessio felt himself hug his arm, looked away and saw Twilight who gave him a soft smile but in her purple eyes you could see the tension. "Before long, we're about to get to the Crystal Empire," she said in a low tone.

With a smile Alessio turns to Twilight and says with a reassuring smile. "Well. Crystal Empire, here we come."

Meantime. General Sun Steel took a seat on the bench seat, near the window, narrowed his gaze as he stared at the blizzard he didn't want to diminish outside. With one hand he touched a canvas bag that he wore on his belt and felt the rectangular object contained inside, he shifted his gaze to his longtime friend and longtime companion in arms, Obsidian Sword who sat next to he.

The bat pony mare, she moved the sheath of her sword and placed it upright against the arm of the seat and leaned back against the seat.

"The last time we saw humans was over a thousand years ago. And is now a human and appeared in Equestria after so long."

Sun Steel looked away from the window and frowned. "Yes, a long time. I remember as if it were yesterday, when a thousand years ago. The parents of the princesses, when their. introduced to their daughters Celestia and Luna. We to generals and Starswirl the bearded and the Pillars Equestria. The humans who would help us save Equestria, in the war against Grogar and all his followers." he said as he clenched his fists as the memories of the past came to life in his mind about the wars and the painful aftermath and sighed deeply.

Obsidian Sword looked at him worriedly and placed her hand on his as her spread her right wing wide and wrap on his shoulders.

Sun Steel gently squeezed her hand, before looking into her face, he smiled. "Thanks Obsidian".

The bat pony mare smiled at him peeking out the tips of her canines before sighing. "When Princess Celestia called us back into action after we resigned from her Royal Guard Sun army. And she informed us that the human named Alessio 'Alex' was informed of the arrival of humans in the past, who had come to help Equestria."

Sun Steel frowned and shook his head. "I know where this is going, Obsidian. I asked her while I waited for you. That human, Alessio, only knows that humans helped defeat and imprison Grogar. He only knows that. And to use the princess's words." he said looking at the window and sighing he said. "Better for him. Never find out about the other Great War."

Obsidian Sword nods slowly and the conversation ended there, it was time for both legendary guards to focus on their mission of providing support to Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, mane six and the human for save Empire Crystal..

About ten minutes later, the train slowed down and everyone finally arrived at their destination. The blizzard outside had not subsided and it looked as though it never would. the guards informed Twilight to get out quickly because the train would not have a long layover and would be back in a short time. But they would be safe inside the train station, to protect the building and the train drivers.

Twilight and her friends came out, followed by Alessio, the two generals Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword, the two stallions who had joined the mission and finally a weary Spike carrying Rarity's small hand luggage, so to speak. The fashionista donated scarves to everyone present to protect them from the bitter cold and the snow that was still blowing hard.

Shielding himself with one hand in front of his eyes to protect themselves from the snow, Twilight got out of the train, Alessio narrowed his eyes as he tried to see through the lenses of his glasses that were being covered with snow, took them off and stood next to Twilight. Spike had slipped and one of Rarity's bags had opened and now the young dragon was trying to retrieve some fluttering scarves. Twilight suddenly heard herself called by her name, narrowed her eyes, glancing straight ahead, she recognized her voice. "Shining Armor?."

The captain of the royal guards walked defying the blizzard, dressed in winter gear, complete with glasses and a scarf, who took off these and gave Twilight and her friends a warm smile. Shining hugged her younger sister. "Twily you made it."

Shortly after Shining Armor widened his eyes and mouth as he saw Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword approach him. the captain of the royal guards quickly came to attention. "General Sun Steel and General Obsidian Sword!. Princess Celestia informed me that she would send two legendary soldiers like you on this mission!. Your exploits are legendary!. It is a real honor to meet you!. Even under these circumstances!". He exclaimed almost screaming, to be heard above the angry howling wind.

The general pegasus, gave him a semblance of a smile, "It was a long, long time ago. Captain Shining Armor. It is also an honor for me to meet you. However, now it is better to focus on our mission again." Sun Steel said with an indecipherable expression, looking away for a second as if he were distant, before frowning determinedly and looking at the white unicorn.

Shining Armor nodded, before gesturing to his sister Twilight and everyone to follow him, as said. "We better get moving, there are things out here, we really don't want to run into after dark."

Alessio looked around narrowing his eyes, shrugging his shoulders, exhaling clouds of condensation of his breath, due to the howl of the wind, you do not hear what Fluttershy had asked Shining Armor, but he heard the answer of Twilight's brother well. "Let's just say empire isn't the only thing that's back."

Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword narrowed they eyes. Alessio had the bad feeling of who Twilight's older brother was referring to. he was talking about Queen Umbra.

"Queen Umbra woke up immediately after the return of the Crystal Empire, better move now". the pegasus said determinedly, Obsidian Sword nodded as she looked around her, one hand ready on the hilt of her sword. "Lead the way captain." she say.

Shining Armor nodded and walked away beckoning everyone to follow him, Alessio stood next to Twilight and continuously looked around with caution, he had the feeling that someone somewhere was watching them.

Everyone immediately set off. With Shining Armor leading the pack, strategically placed on either side were General Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword, in the center Alessio with his mares - friends, Spike and the two stallions who had recently joined the mission. As they walked for several minutes. Twilight and the bystanders, squinting but surprised, at something in the distance, what appeared to be a large force field, but suddenly, they were all suddenly attacked by a large dark cloud that appeared behind them.

"We have to get to Empire Crystal now! Get moving !." Shining yelled.

Everyone started running towards the force field, chased by the dark cloud, completely ignoring the cold, the furious wind and the snow that was blowing hard. Alessio ran without looking back, almost risked tripping due to a hole in the snow, but fell forward to another next hole, swearing colorfully. For a long moment which was really only a second, he was tempted to stay there, to abandon himself to the cold sleep, but he immediately pushed the thought away. Refusing to give up. He quickly got back on his feet, he felt a cold enveloping him, he was shivering with cold to the point that even with a clenched mouth he could however to chatter his teeth, he looked away and saw the big black cloud had a pair of red eyes with a green sclera and purple trail. Alessio clenched his teeth as continued running at breakneck speed, towards the force field, he felt his whole body was about to give in to the cruel cold, but once again he refused again to give in and ran to reach the force field and threw himself when it was very close versus. When he hit the ground, he rolled a couple of times until he was lying on the ground, before slowly losing consciousness, saw that everyone else was inside the force field, sighed slowly in relief and slowly closed his eyes and the world went black.

Alessio woke up, the first sensation was the lack of cold, which worried him not a little. He opened his eyes and saw at first that the blizzard seemed to have stopped and the weather was fine, but then he remembered that he was inside the force field, as everyone else was with him.

"Finally you woke up." A voice suddenly said, Alessio shifted his gaze and saw close to him, with one knee on the ground, General Sun Steel and from his tone in a second he seemed worried, now he was rather relieved.

"Are you okay?. When you fell to the ground earlier, we thought you were passed out, but then, you got up quickly and you both managed to get into the force field, jump in and passed out shortly after." Obsidian Sword broke in and landed behind Sun Steel.

Alessio nodded slowly and looked at both of them. "I'm fine ... Rather how are the others?". He asked.

"Are all well." Sun Steel reassured. Alessio slowly got to his feet, staggered a little but managed to stand up, gesturing to the general that he didn't need help, but he felt too strange from the sudden fainting, he speculated that it may have been because of the run to reach the force field and the cold.

"I lost consciousness for some reason ... How long did I pass out ?." Alessio asked.

"For just a few minutes, I walked away when Sun Steel wanted to check your condition." Obsidian said, intruding on the conversation, as she moved her gaze to the others who gazed in amazement at the beauty of the crystal empire.

"Queen Umbra tried to catch you when you first fell, but you escaped him when you quickly got to your feet and ran towards the force field." Sun Steel spoke to the human.

Alessio was speechless for a moment, believing that he had been very lucky. Suddenly Shining Armor entered the force field, rubbing his head and horn with a grimace of pain, but smiled a little as he saw that everyone else was safe.

Alessio and Twilight went to Shining. Alessio stiffened when he saw something on his horn, black crystals covered all the tip up to the middle of his horn. But the rest of his equipment remained intact, but he no longer had his winter goggles and scarf, and except for the damaged horn, he had no other wounds on his body.

"Oh no !. Shining !. Your horn !." Twilight said in shock as she took her brother's wrist and examined his horn and when she told him to try magic. Unfortunately, the horn of Shining Armor was unable to do so due to the black crystals.

"What happened to Your horn, Shining?". Alessio said in shock, as he stared at the damaged horn of Twilight's brother, then, he remembered that Shining had stayed behind to face the dark cloud and to buy time, he felt responsible for what had happened to him, sure his friend was alive but seeing his horn in that state, he still felt equally responsible.

However Shining Armor raised his hands to him and to Twilight and placed his palms on their shoulders and smiled.
"It's okay, I'm fine, but right now it's important that you get everyone to the castle as quickly as possible." He said.

They all nodded in approval as Shining Armor began to lead them to the empire. Both from the distance and while they were on their way to the city, everyone showed wonder at how it was structured and described, exactly how Twilight had told and how she and Alessio had seen a few hours ago, at Canterlot Castle with Princess Celestia.

The group looked around with suggestion, although the crystalline city was wonderful, it seemed in all it is a ghost town for everything. There was not a soul in the streets anywhere, the streets were completely deserted. The only source of amusement had been a scene between Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash, where the farm mare and the cyan pegasus went out of their way to get the Fashionista to focus only on the mission and not just admire the beauty of the Empire. Finally the group reached the castle, entered and headed, climbing some stairs and crossing several corridors, towards what appeared to be the throne room.

When they all entered the throne room, they saw Princess Cadence sitting on the throne decorated with several skilfully carved crystals and composed of several other crystals. Alessio remained to observe Princess Cadence, the last time he had seen her was at her wedding, and to see her now. She looked visibly exhausted and worn out. her eyes looked drooping and her body looked lazy even when she moved, as if she was going to pass out at any moment. But then, when Twilight called her, Cadence looked at her and now seemed to be lively again, she smiled widely overjoyed and ran towards her, even doing their particular personal dance, which made Alessio smile.

But that his smile quickly faded as he saw Cadence visibly stagger and touch her head with one hand and her horn lost its glow for a very brief second, before returning and fortifying the force field.

Seeing the worried expression of everyone present and Twilight. Princess Cadence told Twilight that one of these days they would be together when destiny to Equestria isn't hovering and sighing.

"Are you okay Cadence?." Twilight asked, very worried. Cadence nodded reassuringly even though she was visibly very tired and exhausted but everyone found her determination to be respectful.

Shining Armor joined his wife and held her up, "Cadence since we arrived has been able to use her magic to spread love and light and thanks to her that she raised the force field to protect the Crystal Empire. This looks like being the one protecting the empire but she hasn't slept and barely eats since then. I helped her with the force field, but now that my shield spell has been neutralized by Queen Umbra, she is now alone". he explained without concealing his concern, even though her wife kept telling him she was fine.

However, Shining Armor explained that Cadence couldn't go on that much longer and if her magic were to wear off, well everyone understood Queen Umbra would attack the empire. Twilight reassured him that everyone who is with her is here to give all the help they need.

Alessio watched the scene from the sidelines and listened to Shining Armor explaining that, with Cadence now concentrating all his strength to keep up the force field, and himself trying to keep an eye on the Arctic for any signs of trouble. They have not been able to gather much information from the cristal ponies. That is, the inhabitants of the crystal empire. Princess Cadence after sitting on the throne explains an important thing that she and Shining have discovered about the crystal ponies. To great everyone's surprise when Cadence explained that soon after the demise of the empire, the ponies went into a kind of hibernation in their homes, as if time in the empire for their, had never elapsed.

Alessio, like everyone present, was really surprised by this news, about how all the inhabitants fell asleep for a thousand years and perhaps never got old during the passage of time. Then, Shining explained that there was a chance to believe that some of the crystal ponies, they might know how he can help protect and save their homes and empire without having to use Cadence's magic.

Twilight, Alessio and the others, decided to talk to the residents and see what they can do to find out some information from them. However, General Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword, would both remain in the palace to protect the throne hall and were ready to intervene, however they would do some research in the castle, in the remote case, there was something useful of information somewhere.

Alessio followed Twilight and the others out of the throne room, and several minutes later they emerged from the castle. As he walked out of the palace, he couldn't help but feel watched. he shifted his gaze to the outside of the force field, frowned, speculated and knew there was no doubt that she was definitely Queen Umbra, watching them from the outside. Immediately after Alessio strides over to the others and ignored this nauseating feeling of being watched and concentrated on the mission.

After leaving the castle. Alessio and Twilight split from their friends and started checking nearby houses. To make the search a little easier. Alessio told Twilight that he would take another path and try to talk to the resident crystal ponies, Twilight and Spike totally nodded in agreement with him and before parting ways. Twilight told him aloud to be back at the castle in a little while, to see if they had any luck. Alessio gave her an affirmative nod with his head and one hand, before he too began to check the nearby homes.

Alessio ran towards the first house, knocked on the door and waited. By the time the door opened, there was a mare in the doorway, wearing a medieval dress of some sort. But her fur and her mane were a dark, gloomy color, and her gaze was very depressed. Alessio had heard that the inhabitants of the Crystal Empire were brilliant and crystal ponies. And now looking at the poor depressed mare. Alessio couldn't understand the pain he had to endure to lose her crystal-like appearance. But just when Alessio was about to ask her something, the mare looked at him with wide eyes, before shutting the door in his face.
Alessio sighed and moved on to another adjacent house and he try again, while he wondered if the mares friends and his friends of him, had had more luck.

Unfortunately, when shortly after, Alessio met Twilight and Spike in the street, they both told him that their friends, too, tried to raise their spirits. But the crystal ponies were too depressed to do anything. Like Twilight, she had told him, the crystal-like happiness they had had long since disappeared due to the power of Queen Umbra. After saying goodbye again and wishing his luck in his search. Alessio continued to try to talk to the crystal ponies.

Half an hour later. Alessio had managed to talk to some ponies. But no one was helpful. He sat down on a low wall. He had talked to 20 ponies, of these 6, who had slammed the doors in his face. He wondered mentally, what was the problem with them. He looked around to see if there were any other houses nearby to check out, but he only saw a shop further away in front of him. Alessio decided to check out the shop before returning to the castle and informing his mares friends and others that he had not been lucky, and hoped that perhaps they might have had better luck with the search than him.

He got up and as he headed for the store, he remembered the astonished looks of the crystal ponies, except for the ones who slammed the door in his face, the others were amazed who he was. Alessio frowned, remembering something else. their behavior had been very much like that of Generals Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword when he met the latter on the train. Like the two generals, it appeared that the crystal ponies acted as if they had already met a human. A curious coincidence, he wondered mentally.

Alessio stopped at the door of the shop and see if the owner can help him. he saw the sign on the door that read closed, but the interior soft lights were on, but he did not see the owner. He ignored the sign and he lowered the handle and the door opened. It seems the owner hadn't locked the shop. He slowly opened the door and entered the shop.

Upon entering, Alessio saw an assortment of artifacts and antiques, various antique furniture, tables and other varieties of various objects enclosed in glass cases. Paintings on the walls and other artifacts hanging, in the center of the shop other objects encased in two adjacent glass cases, from various pieces of jewelry and various junk and other objects with an antiquity look.

Walking towards the counter, Alessio saw on both sides near the counter, there was an exhibition of many objects and weapons. But when he was near the counter, one weapon in particular caught his attention. When he took a closer look, he was very surprised and couldn't believe what he was looking at.

Alessio looked at a large case next to the sign with large print. 'not for sale'. a pair of dark tanned leather bracelets and both bracelets had two extended visible dull blades and centered on a red satin lining was a dark brown and black flintlock pistol.

Alessio couldn't believe what he was observing. Both leather wristbands with blades connected to a mechanism looked to him like the ones he saw from a video game of sorts that he knew and liked the saga. Anyway, He was stunned. Somehow those hidden blades were there. But the real thing that left him most astonished was actually the flintlock pistol. "What a ... What is a human weapon like this doing, those blades, in an antique shop?." he said looking at the ancient gun.

Before arriving in Equestria, Alessio had been visiting museums and did research in books or on the internet when he wanted to know something. And he knew that the flintlock pistol was made in the human world approximately around 1600's.

"I see you have a good eye for those particular weapons eh son." said a low but friendly old voice.

Alessio winced in sudden fright, before quickly looking up from the counter and saw an old stallion standing in front of the open back door.

The old stallion was a tall, sand gray earth pony crystal, with a grayish mane and tail and a white tinge to the tips due to old age, gray-blue eyes. It was something that surprised Alessio a lot. He wore black pants, a blue shirt and a gray jacket. It was that despite its crystallization it had disappeared, as in all the other crystal ponies, however this one had managed to smile at him. It would have been the first time that Alessio saw one of the inhabitants of the Crystal Empire smile.

"Or should I say human," he said correcting himself, smiling before disappearing behind the back door.

For a moment Alessio was stunned by what the stallion said. Then, he tried to stop him. "Hey wait ... How do you know what I am?. Wait. Stop," he said but the stallion through the back door threshold.

Alessio put his hands on the counter and nimbly stepped over it, and immediately after his feet hit the ground, quickly through the doorway. He looked around. He was in another room which was the back room, which had been transformed into a discreet but very welcoming apartment, with a sofa, table, some comfortable chairs, some rugs and several shelves full of books. But he didn't see the old stallion. Where is he gone?. He thought

Alessio heard a faint sound coming from the other side of the room. The sound sounded almost metallic, like gears, but then, it became shrill as if two surfaces were rubbing against each other. It was an out of place noise. Alessio immediately went to investigate.

The noise changed: it got slightly louder as it approached the source. When he reached the other side of the room, where the stone stairs led to the second floor. Alessio saw the wall near the stairs closing, like a secret door, but slowly, which is why the noise of the gears was so loud from the effort, caused by the friction of the surfaces.

But the noise of the gears became suddenly rapid, as did the closing of the door disguised as a wall, now freed from the friction that previously slowed it down. Alessio immediately ran towards the wall that was closing, but he was not fast enough and the door closed definitively.

Alessio swore through clenched teeth and punched the wall with his fist in frustration, then quickly regained his composure. He frowned and started looking for some switches. He saw some boxes stacked in a niche under the stairs, near the first steps, a wooden and metal coat rack with no hanging clothes, a retro-style wall lamp, placed almost on purpose near the door. He tried anyway, even though he would have assumed that one of those two common objects was the switch to open secret doors or rooms like in certain movies or books.
In fact it was not so.

"Of course. It would have been too easy or obvious like that, let's try again" Alessio thought, frowning not surprised, then continued to examine the area. When he looked around more carefully, he saw something he had missed before. one of the wall panels, near where the door was, looked more worn than the others and was in a corner position that was previously hard to notice. he presses the dowel and took a few steps back.

Alessio heard the metallic sound again, then a click, the sound of moving gears, when he saw the hidden door slowly open. He had hit the mark. As he glanced through the door. He felt a cool, light breeze against his face. The corridor was dimly lit and seemed deserted. "Bingo!," he said with a smile, albeit short-lived before turning serious again, he frowned. He hesitated for a moment. Then, he swallowed the knot of tension in his throat and cautiously took a few steps and entered the secret room.

Alessio took a few steps, only turned to turn when the door behind him slowly closed with a noise of gears, once the door closed. Alessio turned back to the corridor, only a faint light on the other side of the short corridor was the only source of light, albeit dimly present. He mentally cursed the situation he was in to try to find the mysterious stallion and find out what he might know. Then, Alessio began to advance close to the wall, preparing to face the unknown. Fear began to spread the first symptoms of panic in his mind, as well as a feeling of helplessness. He drive away him in the bud and forced himself to focus on methods of fighting the invisible fear, slowly the tentacles of fear of the unknown slowly loosened their grip, turning into a feeling of calm logic as he walked down the corridor realizing that he was anything but short.

Suddenly the floor and walls changed consistency; they were no longer of solid wood and rough brickwork but entirely of old wood. And judging by the amount of wren sounds he heard, the wood was definitely ancient. Alessio worries a little while he looked down at the wooden planks that made up the floor and feared that they might give way under his weight and wondered how the mysterious stallion had managed to overcome him. So Alessio continued to advance close to the wall, trying to stay as far away as possible from the center of the floor.

Alessio proceeded cautiously to the end of the corridor, the dim lighting was stronger than about thirty meters before. He saw a transverse staircase leading down and saw what appeared to be an entrance.

As he slowly and cautiously descended the old steps, keeping close to the wall, his gaze continually shifted from the entrance to the room and down the steps. Alessio let out a colorful curse in a low voice and with clenched teeth, with one hand rubbing the upper part of his forehead, looking at the large protruding stone that had just hit us against the head.

He stood against the wall and waited for the pain in his head to subside, keeping his eyes on the dimly lit room and once the pain had subsided. Alessio approached the passage and entered.
The interior of the room was too dark to see anything and concealed its true size, but the only dim light present was aimed and shone on a particular object in the room.

On the right wall, on a pedestal, was black, white and red armor wrapped in a few layers of unique clothing.
The dull metal armor covered around the chest and shoulders with a layer of dark tanned leather worked underneath to increase its resistance, the same dark tanned leather covered the rib area and they could see that they hid a layer of dull metal. The sleeves were bright white with tanned leather cuffs. The same tanned leather used on the legs and boots, hiding a layer of metal plus another opaque outer like the armor of the chest. It appeared to be that the entire armor was made up of several overlapping metal guards, mixed with leather to balance flexibility and protection.

Alessio, as he approached the pedestal, stared at the armor in amazement, then noticed something of the head; a black hood, well made mixed between layers of fabric with a plating on the edges and a small stiffer part at the height of the forehead, to maintain its shape and offer greater resistance and not limit the view. But it wasn't just this detail that caught his attention. All the armor was worn on a mannequin, not typical of ponies, like the ones he and Rarity used at the boutique. since it was actually a human mannequin instead of a pony, as the head showed most, there was no short narrow muzzle, only the typical human facial features.

Inspecting it all around, he noticed that the suit and armor would not attract attention, a decorated red collar, topped by another white and a sort of burgundy red leather and fabric belt, gave it an elegant and it wouldn't have been noticed in the shadows. It seemed to have been made to be seen and not seen, as if it came from no world. Plus the whole dress looked big enough to wear.
Alessio hesitated for a moment, then, he reached out and slowly slipped his fingers with a little hesitated begans, as a respectful gesture, against the leather and every piece of fabric and leather on the front of the armor and the dress. while he touched the dress and armor. A strange shiver ran down his spine; he had a bad feeling that someone was watching him.

"That's not yours," said a voice from the darkness.

Alessio winced and turned quickly, looking around as he cautiously moved towards the half-light trying to find who the voice belonged to, "Who are you?. Show yourself!" He said continuing to look around and move away from the light, he waited for an answer, narrowed his eyes to try to see a movement in the darkness, unfortunately he had not succeeded, but about one thing he was sure. whoever the voice belonged to was in the room somewhere.

"At least, not like that yet," the voice said with a small chuckle, which rang through the room, then for an instant, a light came on with the flick of a light switch.

Alessio turned to the light and saw the shop owner. The sand gray stallion was standing atop, with arms cross on chest, on what looks like a pedestal of some kind. Next to him barely visible in the light, was a large light switch, along with a few small ones.
The ground stallion stands proud as he watches him, with a proud smile on his face, while Alessio stared back at him with a confused and frowning expression, wary and cautious.

"Enough with the mysteries now. Will you tell me who you are? Where exactly are we and what do you mean by; 'at least not yet'?" Alessio said in a cold tone, even though he was confused about everything that was happening right now. The human weapon or the flintlock pistol, including the two blades seen in the shop, the secret room that was well hidden, the room where he was now and finally this stallion standing a few meters away from him, who knew very well that he was talking to a human. But the real question was why ?. All of this makes no sense at all unless there was a good, valid reason.

The sand gray stallion stood still and kept his smile and just reached out and grabbed the nearby switch.

"My name is Medal of Valor. It is we are in the last sanctuary of the human protectors of Equestria." he said and pushes the switch. the clicking of the switches echoed as the lights went on all over the room.
Keeping his gaze down and shielding his eyes with one hand, to prevent being blinded by the sudden light, Alessio looked up narrowing his eyes and looked around.

Alessio was astonished at the sight of the whole room. The whole room was littered with every human object. Wall racks containing various types of swords, a few very few flintlock pistols, muskets, spear, axes and war hammers, bows, crossbows and even shields. Alessio hypothesized from what he remembered, that some of those weapons were from the Renaissance and other weapons could even be from many other historical periods, not only from the end of the late 1600's. Perhaps Victorian London, French Revolution, the American Revolution. But it was just conjecture and hypothesis, and he wasn't very sure about it. Looking away. He saw various mannequins positioned at the back of the room, showing signs of blows received, cuts and all possible mistreatment on them. on both sides there were solid wood shelves, which even contained various clothes that look old. A few pieces of armor lay on the shelves while a layer of dust covered them all. It looked more like a museum than a sanctuary but he preferred to keep this inner comment to himself.

Then, Alessio he looked up and saw banners on the wall. All had the image of the half of the sun and the moon, joined together, with a golden sword, located in the middle as a divider between the two halves. Under the sword was an inscription that appeared to be very old from who knows how long.

Alessio continued to examine the whole room without words, before staring again at the armor he had seen before. It is only then that he saw something that had escaped him. Above the armor on the wall was a beautiful and well done painting, with an elaborately decorated frame plated in gold tint. The painting showed a human man wearing the same armor and hood covering his face, he dared not show the image of him. his arms spread apart and both hands showed each blade. it almost seemed that the figure wanted to walk towards him or stare at him, at least this was the impression he made on Alessio.

Alessio looked away from the painting and turned it to the still smiling owner of the antique shop. Although he was still stunned by the place, Alessio frowned as he glanced at him. "Really, who are you?" he asked in a tone as cold.

Medal of Valor motioned for Alessio to sit in a nearby chair. "Let's get comfortable, son. It's going to be a long conversation." he said smiled.

Instead of sitting on the chair, Alessio leaned against the nearby wall, with his eyes turned towards the shop owner and motioned for him to sit down.
If the sand-gray stallion had been bothered, he didn't show it, smiling again he sat down in the chair and looked at the human and began to tell.

"A millennium ago, during the war against Grogar and his monsters aiming to conquer the rest of Equestria, the first cities that were targeted to conquer were Canterlot and the Crystal Empire. The rulers of Canterlot then were King Cosmos and Queen Galaxia. The parents of the young princesses, Celestia and Luna. the alicorn rulers, had divided their armies to defend the Crystal Empire from invaders. Both cities were strategic points of defense and opposition in the invasion battle against Grogar. it had been going on for several years. It was then that the Canterlot rulers had decided to ask for help to defend Equestria and had summoned several unusual beings from an unknown dimension. Humans."

Alessio look at him surprised, then, he frowned and told him to continue explaining. What the sand-gray stallion was saying confirmed the story Princess Celestia had told him during her wedding in Canterlot that her parents were the ones who brought the humans to help defend Equestria from the Lord of Darkness Grogar.

Medal of Valor nodded and continued the tale. "At the time I had been a recruit with the Royal Sun Elitè Guards for a few months. The Best Army of Equestria and I had witnessed their arrival in the empire together with Queen Galaxia and King Cosmos to introduce them as our allies and I had witnessed their promise that they would be remained and would protect Equestria from the threat of Grogar. I fought alongside the leader of the group on many occasions and one day, me taking courage. I walked up out to the leader of the group and asked him to train me to help him protect Equestria. The leader was surprisingly kind and accepted me as his pupil. The leader told me that he had thought several times about finding himself a pupil to train, but finding a worthy right candidate was not easy and he saw that I had potential, he took me under his wing and he said he would train me. That day it was as if fate were destined for both of us."

Medal of Valor paused only to turn his attention to his mentor's painting, and then, return to look at the human who was looking at him, surprised and continued to tell.

"Me and the leader. We trained our skills every day on the martial arts and the arts sword and uset weapons path. It was there that I also learned various weapons and also learned a variety of tactics and strategies, we have been training for almost 35 years, I became the best student of the leader, in the fight against darkness. I fought alongside the leader and even when I moved with him, with his men to fight alongside the rulers of Equestria and with the princesses who had become over the years, the leaders of two sides of the army, with the royal guards of the Sun and with the Pillars of Equestria. against the darkness of the armies of Grogar. and also during the Great War, after the tragedy of a city whose name I do not remember well that was fallen, completely destroyed from the allies of Grogar"

Medal of Valor clenched his fists so hard that his knuckles whitened at the memory of various events, from news of the destroyed city to the next war against Grogar's allies, but he quickly calmed down and looked up at the human.
Alessio was astonished and speechless. Princess Celestia hadn't told him that she and Princess Luna had fought against Grogar's army, but she thought that over time she and her sister too were ready to fight alongside their parents and with humans against Grogar.

Medal of Valor he leaned back in his chair. "In the last long years of learning and fighting alongside the leader, his men together with the army of Equestria, had finally put an end to the war. The Elitè Army of the Guards of the Sun and Night, led by the princesses and their parents, defeated the Grogar's army and after a long battle, they also defeated the monster itself. The humans finally together with the ponies sealed Grogar and his powers for all eternity of the depths of darkness forever. But that bastard nevertheless a moment before being sealed. and banished to Tartarus, with whatever shred of his magic he had left and strength, he played the his last dirty move."

Alessio frowned as he said "What did he do?"

Medal of Valor frowns. "He cursed the Royal Sun and Night Guard Army. At least, those who were present at the time of the final battle for support, the generals Sun Steel, Obsidian Sword and ... me too with immortality." he says.

Alessio widened his eyes, before looking at him without understanding. When he heard the names of the generals, he wondered if it wasn't a bizarre coincidence that those legendary generals he met… Were really theirs. Those that Valor has just mentioned.

Medal of Valor's smile faded and his expression darkened, he sighed. "Today I am still the same age as when Grogar was defeated centuries ago. I certainly cannot die, I have seen my family die of old age or whatever. I age very slowly but the normal pains of the passing of age do not go away" he murmured. Then, lift and turn your gaze towards the human.

"Anyway. Right after we made sure the monsters were gone, the humans disappeared without a trace. But before they did. The leader asked me to do him one last favor; to give the suit to the next pupil he knew he was. deem it appropriate to wear it. After he told me. The leader took the armor made by himself and the others and they finally disappeared to the world"

Alessio frowned as thought again at the Renaissance armors that humans skeletons wore in the sanctuary in the catacombs below Canterlot Castle and wondered if that was the armor. he crossed his arms over his chest, "A year ago. I stumbled upon a hidden sanctuary, almost like this one and found human skeletons and they were wearing armor," he he recalled as he described them to him.
Medal of Valor slowly shook his head and said. "No, they weren't wearing that kind of armor before they left."

Alessio looked at the dress on the pedestal, then again at Medal. "So where would the other humans' other armor be?" he asked him not hiding his curiosity.

The sand gray stallion shook his head. "I don't know. Since the other humans wore the armor you described to me earlier, As they took the original with them in their arms," he replied.

Alessio reflected on his words and wondered, if humans had made the other armors here in Equestria? or had they brought it with them when they arrived in Equestria?. He shrugged. Perhaps he could have made the decision to find the real armor that the first humans wore. Or it was better not to know anything. Therefore he ends the conversation on the subject, but there were other questions to be answered.

Alessio stared at Medal of Valor "Before. You said I wasn't ready for that armor yet. I was surprised when I saw it and I wouldn't have meant to take it if that's what you thought, but when you said not yet, it seemed that you meant something else, so what?" he asked him

Medal of Valor let out a hearty chuckle before slowly rising from his chair and looking at him, smiled as he told him. "Because my master, he told me another human was coming and he wanted me to train him to become the new protector of Equestria."

Medal of Valor's certain words in which he said it caught Alessio off guard. But Alessio stared at him for a while, he just didn't know what to say. He had to make an effort to keep an impassive expression. "Excuse me?. You won't mean me, right?". he managed to stammer in astonishment.
Medal Valor nods and walks over to another pedestal where he had a metal chest on it.
Can't be serious. Alessio thought as he shook his head and looked at him. "There must be a mistake". he murmured.

"I have survived this long for centuries. But right now, our time is almost over here. But in order to fully train. You must first find the Crystal Heart." He said Medal as he opened the chest.

Alessio raised an eyebrow, The Crystal Heart?. he thought confused looking at the stallion. "What is the Crystal Heart?" he asked him interrupting him.

Medal of Valor stared into his eyes for a brief moment before sighing patiently. then he nodded. "I almost assumed you already knew. Let me briefly explain what the Crystal Heart is; It is a special gem and it is it that gives the ponies their crystal-like appearance. It was the owner of the soul of the whole empire and the empire's source of protection. For that you must find it. And perhaps Queen Umbra has hidden it. "

Alessio didn't even blink and held Medal Valor's scrutinizing gaze. "Where Queen Umbra might have hidden it."

"Somewhere hidden in the castle. There is a room that opens up your darkest and deepest nightmares. You must overcome your nightmares and destroy the barrier to awaken the room where the heart is." Medal Valor told him as he pulled out a small but bound scroll and walked over to him.

"But before you can retrieve the Crystal Heart. You must first enter the nightmare room and retrieve this." he told him as he handed him the parchment.

Alessio looked down and took the parchment and opened it. he saw a faint but distinct design of a kind of a special dagger with a blue blade and a clear wooden handle with unique decorations.

"This blade is called; the Dagger of Light which was created by the ruler Crystal Spectrum Prism. The dagger is said to be made of pure light which, if incorporated into darkness, would destroy all darkness of the pony or creature it is to. inflicted and that when the Crystal Heart is turned back. The power of the heart will ignite the dagger and defeat all the darkness all around." Medal of Valor explained.

Alessio closed the parchment and stared at Medal Valor as he thought back to his words and wondered if he might know more about Queen Umbra. In fact, Alessio hadn't forgotten what Princess Celestia had said to him and Twilight, which was a mystery how the queen suddenly became evil. He remembered how Chrysalis was before and how ironically, he had used a similar dagger with which he had freed her from the darkness. Maybe it was so? or Umbra was just really evil and allied with Grogar. Or really another victim of his.

Alessio sensed that perhaps Medal Valor could help him find an answer to the mystery. "You spent a lifetime, before Queen Umbra became evil and with the inevitable consequences for The Crystal Empire. But can you please tell me why she became evil? .. if something happened or if there were other unknown reasons?"

Medal Valor shook his head and shrugged. "I'm sorry. I don't know. I was lucky not to have been captured during the Umbra reign and lucky enough to acquire this information. But I can assure you that she was and still can be a great ruler. The reason for her wickedness still lies with me unknown. " he apologized.

Alessio nodded and patted him on the shoulder. "Thanks anyway. I'll find out for myself. I really have to go now. Greetings Medal Valor." he said reassuring him and after seeing him nod and smile. Alessio turned to leave while his expression became serious as if his features were engraved in steel. He pondered what he had been told about Queen Umbra being a great ruler before turning into evil. But he kept his mind clear and put aside his thoughts. Now he had to go back to the castle and he think if Twilight and her friends were lucky in their search.

"If the solution is to find The Crystal Heart. Besides the Dagger of Light. And to return the Crystal Heart to its place is possible to protect the Crystal Empire and ... save Queen Umbra. Only then the mystery of the her dark powers can be completely resolved" he thought as he picked up his quickly pace walking.

Running Alessio reached the castle in ten minutes and quickly entered the room where his friends and mares-friends were. There were also Brilliant and Night, and by the window were Generals Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword. Behind Twilight sitting in a chair was Princess Cadence with Shining Armor next to her. She is the princess of love, she really looked even more exhausted than before and was trying to keep her eyes open, she swings and closed her eyes, she seems on the verge of fainting at any moment, but she was doing everything she could to keep him active. protective shield.

Alessio took his place between Spike and Twilight, as Twilight levitates an ancient-looking book towards her. Everyone looked at him, relieved that he had arrived. "It took you some time to come back. We were afraid we would have to send one of us to find you." Rainbow Dash said with a raised eyebrow.

Alessio settled into a chair. "Sorry everyone ... I wanted to keep trying to talk to the crystal ponies and I took a side track. So what have I missed so far?. Have you had any luck with our research?". he said, while he decided to keep his discovery to himself. Twilight and the others start having their say.

"Sure. After we tried to talk to the crystal ponies with no success. Except they pointed us to the library and we went. And you came at the right time, because we have some great news on how to help lift the crystal pony spirits.". Twilight said as she levitated the book and placed it between her and Alessio.

Alessio was leaning a little forward in his chair, a hand around his unshaven chin. he looked at the red-covered book with gold decorations and three multicolored crystals visible on the cover. he opened it, Twilight's magic shone on the book, he let the magic turn some pages yellowed by time. browse a few more pages, before stopping at a particular page with an image of what appears to be some kind of festival. the name was written in a strange language that could not be pronounced, but which Twilight could understand.

"We will all be hosting the crystal fair for all the crystal ponies around. This fair was established by the first queen, Princess Amore and has become their most important tradition. The fair was held every year to renew the spirit of love and unity. in the empire so that they could protect him from the forces of evil. We could all put together everything that is in the book. We will start right away but to do that we would need all the help we can get", Twilight said determinedly, everyone nodded.

But General Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword say that if there is a need they can lend a hand, but they must also think about being ready to intervene in case of danger. While Brilliant Ingenuity and Night Shield nodded and stood up, ready to get busy. Immediately afterwards everyone left the room and immediately after the castle and started preparing the festival as quickly as possible.

Alessio smiled as Twilight began singing along with everyone else, including Night Shield and Brilliant Ingenuity and the two generals. Although Sun Steel needed some encouragement from Obsidian Sword. Alessio joins the song in the best way not to interrupt them, he did not mind singing and had fun, also to ease the tension of the current situation. By singing together he learns that the festival is huge and that all his mares-friends have found something they would like to do. Alessio decided to work with Twilight, while Fluttershy works with Rainbow Dash for the fun for the joust. Brilliant ingenuity helped Pinkie Piè and Applejack get some raspberries and other fruits and food as it was written in the book. Rarity immediately went to work on the decorations and flags, with the help of General Obsidian Sword in positioning them in the city, while she continued to make the rounds of patrol with General Sun Steel. Fluttershy with Night's help worked on collecting some very familiar looking sheep-like creatures.

The construction of the festival was extremely fast, also thanks to everyone's help. Immediately following the announcement of Twilight, with Princess Cadence and Shining Armor to inform the cristal ponies of the start of the festival. Alessio smiled as he saw that the crystal ponies, come out of their homes and approach interested in the festival, some immediately regained their crystalline appearance From the mane to their clothes and even to the smallest details, they all shone bright and luminous like a diamond raised in the sky. It seemed like the festival was working even better than expected he thought relieved as he watched the show.
He was stunned as he watched Pinkie Piè do the best of her to help lift the spirit of the crystal ponies, along with the newly created crystal fair.

Alessio began to go around the city and with satisfaction he saw how all the ponies of the empire were all crystallized. The mare, the stallion, foals and fillies, even the elderly still shone bright in the sunlight. As he walked around town, he looked around and saw that his mares-friends were talking to some of the residents who were finally able to talk after regaining their true forms. Perhaps now the search will have no problem, he thought, before he heard a trot behind him and turned around.

Some of the crystal ponies, mares and stallions, were approaching and Alessio recognized them; they were the ones who had slammed the door in his face and with an embarrassed expression thanked him and apologized for doing it. and they explained why they were surprised and frightened at the same time they saw him. They began to explain that their grandparents were telling them stories of his kind and how heroic and dangerous he was against monsters. And they feared that humans might destroy Equestria or enslave ponies and other creatures.

Other crystal ponies said they were simply shocked to see a human being after so long. Some stallions and mares did not hide to add in saying that a handsome man.

Alessio ignored or pretended not to hear their compliment, he just cleared his throat before explaining to them that he was a human being and that he had accepted their apology. "I thank you all for the compliments and for your apologies. I understand and understand how you feel but we are here to save your city." he said and he think, praying they would not run away in fear that it was time to ask them where the crystal heart was.

Alessio saw Rainbow Dash take off quickly and fly in the direction of the castle, not before having snatched a flag from the nearby flag bearer and he wondered what was going on. Before looking at the ponies who were smiling at him.

"Where is the Crystal Heart located?" he asked.

The Crystal ponies all had their smiles as he asked them where the Crystal Heart was. After a few seconds one of the mares approaches. "I was working on the castle before it all happened. Usually Crystal's Heart is just below the castle in the inner square" she said pointing to the castle and she frowned worried and confused when she saw a sheet covering something.
Alessio looked in the same direction and nodded, better to check anyway, maybe someone else. Then he turned to look at the mare. "And the heart was always there?" he asked.

The mare shook her head slightly, "Almost always." she replied.

Alessio nodded. it wasn't much but it was a good place to start looking. He thanked the mare and told the ponies that he was going to find his mare-friend Twilight. And he began to approach the inner pitch of the castle. when he saw something wrong on the horizon. But he kept looking and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. the protective shield flashed and then vanished completely, the mountain peaks and the blizzard that was still powerful outside were seen and a black cloud forming in the distance. the same one that had attacked him and the group.
He swore colorfully, but just as he was about to run towards the castle, he quickly walked twenty feet as he saw that the protective shield was back on.

Alessio sighed in relief, but frowned as he clenched his teeth, moving his gaze from the castle to the horizon. "Princess Cadence won't last long. And Umbra will be waiting patiently for another chance to attack the empire," he said coldly as he ran towards the castle.
When he arrived at the inner castle pitch, he saw that Applejack was hiding something under a tarp and looked around and tried several times to dissuade the passing ponies who sometimes tried to take a look.

Alessio yelled at Applejack if he had seen Twilight. The farm mare screamed in reply that she hadn't seen her but perhaps she was walking around to see how the crystal fair was progressing.

He thanked her before running away from the castle in search of Twilight. However Alessio reflected about on the words the mare had said to him that Crystal's HHeart at first was almost always in the castle's central square. what if it was moved? he wondered. and if so. Where could it have been? Also tried to mentally put himself on what the Queen Umbra was going to do. But just as some plausible hypotheses began to form in his head, he averted his gaze to stare at the castle for a moment for greater emphasis on reflecting on him. Alessio did not notice that a mare was passing by at that moment until it was too late.

With a quick reflexes. Alessio abruptly swerved to the side, avoiding colliding with the mare who let out a yelp of fear and surprise. He quickly turned to check how she was doing and as he apologized he looked at her.

It was a unicorn crystal pony and its color had lost its crystalness, its fur was grayish heliotrope, while its long bushy mane and tail were a pale arctic light blue. she stared at him in surprise with her moderate arctic blue eyes. she wore a medieval blue dress but with a dark purple cape over her. "But ... are you a human?". she asked, blinking in surprised.

Alessio held the mare's gaze and then nodded. He introduced himself and then, told her that he was a human and that he was here to save the city along with his friends. The mare slowly nodded. "Nice to meet you. i am Radiant Hope". She introduced herself.

Then, Radiant Hope looked in the direction of the castle. "I saw the Crystal Fair .. But if you don't find the Crystal Heart it will be useless without the Heart. But unlucky Queen Umbra, my mentor ... she was took it away."

Alessio looked at her surprised, frowned giving her a suspicious look "Wait. Is Queen Umbra your mentor?" he asked cold tone.

The mare nodded slowly. "Before Queen Umbra suddenly became evil. I was her pupil ... After I saw Queen Umbra transform Princess Amore into a crystal statue and grab the Crystal Heart. I ran away and went to the princesses and informed them of what was happening in the empire, I returned with them and hid myself praying that the empire would be saved as Queen Umbra and Princess Amore". She explained by biting her bottom lip and looking away.

Alessio was surprised, so it was she who had informed Princess Celestia and Luna about what was happening in the crystal empire. He looked at her. "Listen Radiant Hope. I'm looking for the Crystal Heart. If, as you say, Queen Umbra took it. She Could have hidden it somewhere, do you remember anything that could be useful for me to look for?". he asked her impassively as he stared at her reaction.

Radiant Hope looked at him for a couple of seconds and nodded. "Before Queen Umbra became evil. I was walking around the castle with her while I was studying and I remember that there was a staircase somewhere in the castle that leads to a door that ... no one enters" she said a little worried as who remembers a few times being tempted to get off but was never allowed to, she was sure there was a door, because she had heard it close once from the top of the stairs.

Alessio nodded as he crossed his arms over his chest and looked at the castle, "Okay. Do you know where the stairs are?"

Radiant Hope nods. "They should be somewhere around the throne room. Usually when I introduced myself to my mentor to start my studies, I would find the staircase there but, when I went to the throne room, they were gone."

Now he knew exactly where to start looking. It is admitted that the Queen Umbra was really cunning in thinking about where to hide the Crystal Heart. "Thanks Radiant Hope. Now I have to go."

Radiant Hope nodded slowly and gave him a semblance of a smile, "Please do whatever it takes to save the Queen Umbra," she said before walking away and mingling with the crowd of crystal ponies.

Alessio took a quick look at the castle, before walking away and passing through some stalls that Pinkie had already set up and asked her mares friends where Twilight was.

It took Alessio a few minutes to ask around and to try to find Pinkie Piè and Rainbow Dash, before hearing someone calling him. He looked up and saw General Sun Steel land. Without wasting time. Alessio asked him what the situation was like and the pegasus frowned, telling him that Princess Cadence was holding on but told him that despite an invigorating supplement that he and Obsidian Sword had given her, to recover some strength. The love princess could risk fainting again. Alessio frowned and asked him if he had seen Twilight.

Sun Steel nodded and told him he saw her rushing to the castle along with Spike.

Alessio thanked him and ran to the castle, while he mentally cursed himself, that he had not yet told Twilight about the Heart of Crystal and the Dagger of Light, since he had returned from the antique shop. then, calming down, he thought that Twilight probably had an intuition. He knew how smart Twilight was and surely she understood that the only really safe place Queen Umbra would hide Crystal's heart and only inside the castle. and had returned to the castle to investigate.

He entered the castle by running through some corridors and opened the double doors, entered the throne room. Alessio saw a perfectly square hole large, cautiously approached the edge and looked down. He saw a spiral staircase leading down. Then he heard a familiar voice that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up; Spike's voice screaming Twilight's name.

Alessio opened his eyes wide, as he felt a grip in his stomach and heart, he ran at breakneck speed more up the stairs, he still heard Spike scream the name of Twilight and Alessio, slowed down his run and peeped out and saw Twilight on the ground Spike next to her was trying to wake her up. Alessio accelerated his run faster, but then he made the craziest of decisions. He didn't think about his own safety, but before he did, he cautiously mentally assess the height and when he went down several steps to be more sure of what he was about to do. He acted and jumped. he knew this jump would be worse, but he jumped anyway. The jump was about three meters.

The impact was hard, because despite crouching to help cushion the fall and land on tiptoe, as soon as he landed, he was unable to do a somersault on the ground and fell to the floor and crashed into the nearby wall. He struggled to his feet, grimacing in pain and his body beginning to feel all those solicitations.

Alessio with his face changed into a mask of pain and worry, he went to Twilight and got on his knees, put his arm behind her and tried to wake her up. As Spike sits on his lap and worriedly watched his friend try to wake Twilight. the young dragon would have wanted to tell him if he was crazy to make a jump like that from three meters high and land hard, but then, be able to get back on his feet even if in pain. Besides asking him if he was okay, but he was just as worried about Twilight as he was and didn't.

It was three long minutes before Twilight's eyes slowly begin to open and she lets out a small moan and grabs her head in pain. Alessio let out a sigh of relief as he held Twilight close to him, she returns her hug and lets out a faint whimper, sinking her face against his chest, but being careful not to accidentally hit him with her horn.

"Oh thank a Celestia. it wasn't real" he said, heaving a little sigh, hugging Alessio tightly. Spike let out a few sniffles as he joined the hug. Alessio held them both close to him for a few moments, before watching Twilight and Spike. "What happens?". he asked.
Twilight let out a small sigh as she looked him in the eye. So she started giving a little explanation of what happens after finding the secret ladder.

Twilight explained to Alessio that after Rainbow Dash had informed her, about some information obtained from a pony regarding the purpose of the Crystal Fair and realized that they had to find the Crystal Heart. She had walked for a while when she had a certain enlightenment that Queen Umbra herself had hidden the Crystal Heart in her castle because none of the crystal ponies, she would have had the courage to even try to enter and look for him. And that she and Spike went into the throne room and after a careful search, they found the stairs down to a door.

Spike had been standing guard at the top of the stairs as Twilight explained that she had come down and found a door. But she couldn't get through because the door was magical and slid all around as if to provoke her and that eventually, using her magic by hitting the gem on top with a spell. And once she managed to stop the open door, her sense of reality suddenly changed.

Twilight told him. that she had inexplicably returned to Canterlot and that her mentor Princess Celestia was ... terribly disappointed in her for failing her test and therefore repudiating her as her personal student and removed from her. But Twilight said what made it even worse was the stained glass showing the Queen Umbra winning and the twilight falling into darkness. It was then that she passed out.

Twilight hugged him closer, remembering something else in her explanation. "in that sort of illusion it wasn't just what Princess Celestia told me that scared me the most. And that you were there too and that you said you hate me and that you would never want to see me again and ..." she started sobbing again, trying to hold back the tears again.

The tears streamed down for another two to three minutes. Alessio was close to her, he preferred to let her vent and then, talk to her and console her, doing it now would not have been right. When she sobbed and pulled one of her up the last time, only then did Alessio speak to her; "Twilight is not true you know good. I would never hate you. I love you as much as I love your friends with all my heart. It was just like you said an illusion. Nothing was real." he comforted her and gave her a reassuring kiss on her head, then helped her up to her feet.

Once up and Twilight had blown off, she hugged him tightly again, before they both turn their attention to the door. And they see that Spike was looking right through it. "Ponyville?" he murmurs.

"Shit!. No, wait! Spike!" Alessio screamed as he rushed towards him and grabbed him by the jacket and yanked him away from the door. Spike let out a few small sobs as he mumbled in fear, with his eyes full of tears and what disturbing, Alessio saw the sclera of his eyes that had turned green; "No. N- I don't want to go. Please don't leave me.."

Alessio pulled him close to his chest. calling him several times. "Calm down Spike. Calm down." he said he reassured him. As Twilight joined her embrace and held Spike close to her.

The young dragon took a few moments to calm down in their arms, another few minutes and he managed to stop crying and looked up to look at Alessio and Twilight, who looked at him worried.

"E-I was in Ponyville, at home. And you, Alessio, were about to take Twilight away and that the e-you both didn't want me anymore, that you didn't need me anymore and that you threw me out of my own house." Spike stammered, sniffing at him, rubbing his eyes.

Twilight hugged him tightly and rubs her cheek against his. "It wasn't real Spike. It happened the same as it did to me before," she told him reassuring him.

Alessio massaged his shoulder and smiled at Spike, "I would not take any pony away from anyone and I would never do it. Besides, why should I hurt my friend who I consider as if he were my little brother" He said and he ruffle his crest scales, as giving him a reassuring smile.

While Twilight continued to comfort Spike. Alessio took a deep breath and headed for the door. He and Twilight had to find the Crystal Heart and he had to find the Dagger of Light. He remembered that in the antique shop, Medal of Valor had told him about the nightmare room and looked as if he had found it, and wondered, if that door was just the prelude to the hall proper, for a moment he hesitated, before to grit his teeth and look inside the door.

At first glance it seemed to look like a normal dark room, but in a fraction of a second everything changed, a flash forced Alessio to close his eyes. But when he opened them again. He gasped what he saw would haunt his nightmares of him for many years to come.

He arrived, he did not know how he got there at the edge of the Crystal Empire, with his legs up to above the knee submerged in the snow and he watched the Crystal Empire that began to change becoming black crystal and arranged in a horseshoe in front of him were his mares-friends transformed into statues of black crystal and not only them, even the princesses had been petrified in black crystal and more disturbing, in the arms of Princess Luna, their filly Moonlight had also been petrified.

Alessio's breathing became rapid and hoarse, he hesitated to take a step forward towards the statues, but it was difficult for him to walk in the snow, then the statues shattered as if they had ended up in an oil mill. Umbra's wicked, derisive laughter, followed by those of mane six and screaming princesses, rang in his ears as accusingly; You failed, You couldn't protect anyone. You should never have been here in Equestria. Banishing you from the start would have been better than welcoming you.

Alessio covered his ears as their laughter turned into screams of pain and anger rang in his ears. He closed his eyes as he shook his head as a vague attempt to push them out of his head, his legs on the verge of giving way. He was almost on the verge of giving up and sinking into despair.

Then, with a great effort of will, he managed to regain his clarity, he raised his eyes and looked forward and began to walk towards the threshold of the door. he was afraid, of course, but he had accepted the fear, now he just had to face it.
As he made his way to the door, the screams he had heard loudly in heis head earlier now seemed muffled as others replaced echoed in he ears over and over and that he had heard before.

"To move on"

“Keep going”

"Do not give in to fear"

"Destroy your fears"

"Destroy the Darkness"

Alessio recognized those voices, they sounded like the same ones he had heard during the events at the wedding in Canterlot, however he kept walking and entered the room.
As Twilight and Spike stared at him in shock as he crossed the threshold. And enter in room of nightmares.

Alessio focused only on moving forward and ignored his nightmares that began to fade with every step, however they seemed not to give up and worsened further, he saw fears that seemed more and more real. As one where he saw; that he was chased from Ponyville or from the same land of Equestria by the same inhabitants. But Alessio never looked down and kept walking, in the end maybe it was frustration or he screamed to challenge them. "Do your worst! It is you who are afraid of me now !."

A few more steps and the nightmares seemed to have subsided, but they remained distant. And Alessio felt a little relieved, but he felt as if he had been in the eye of the storm, he had had a brief respite before the fears tried again to manifest themselves, but he saw that the whole room seemed covered with black and red crystal, as if he had not been inside a room but in a long corridor, when he saw a light at the end of the room. He smiled and quickly ran towards it.

But suddenly, a noise behind him made him stop after taking a few steps, he quickly turned to look. but there was nothing, but when he looked back in front of him, his hair stood on end; one of the nightmares that he had overcome and that had vanished had manifested itself again was blocking his way, he looked like a pony made of shadow. the previously muffled screams had come back loud again and echoed in Alessio's head that even though he kept his teeth clenched, he was almost sure they were beating. a noise behind him made him realize that he was also had others behind him but he did not turn to look.

"Oh fuck" he murmured, while the nightmare in front of him emitted a ghostly sound and charged him, Alessio ran to meet him before slipping forward, passing very close to him and had the cold sensation of having been exposed to the blizzard outside empire, she quickly got to her feet and ran towards the light at the back of the room, it seemed close but so far at the same time. from the multitude of ghostly lines behind him, he knew he was being chased.

He ran with all the breath he had in his body, the cold feeling behind him made him realize that they were close and pushed him to run faster than his long legs allowed him. Finally life a few meters away the light within reach out of hand.
tripped over something that made him fall face down on the ground, cursed and looked behind him and saw that the nightmares were very close to the point that he could see their white eyes and breaths of cold condensation in their mouths. Alessio turned quickly and saw the light very close and quickly he pushed forward and reached out and grabbed the bright light and rolled onto his back.

The light gets brighter and by the time he exposed it, all the nightmares with a ghostly sound have gone up in smoke. Alessio looked around carefully, before with a groan of effort and pain he stood up and and he looked at the light he held in his hand. It shone as it took the form of a medium-sized dagger, the deep blue transparent blade as if made of quartz or crystal, while the handle was finely decorated with gold. It was identical to the dagger seen in the photo Medal Valor had shown him in the shop.

Alessio smiled, "I finally found it. The Dagger of Light. Now I just have to go back to Twilight and Spike." he thought as he turned to go back.

As if they had been called, Alessio heard Twilight and Spike say his name and judging by the tone of voice, they were definitely worried.

"Yes. I'm fine, don't worry and don't go in. I'm going back right away." Alessio replied, then with a small sigh, he turned towards the corridor, he realized that when he was chased by nightmares, he had the feeling that the adjacent corridor seemed very long and instead it was only about thirty meters away from the door.

Alessio slipped the dagger on his side between the belt loops and quickly retraced his steps towards the door and went out. Twilight looked at him in astonishment and relief, while Spike must have recovered from the bad experience, she sighed loudly in relief. Alessio closed the door behind him. "Really, an experience I have no intention of repeating," he muttered with a deep sigh as he walked over to them.

"You said that friend." Spike agreed, keeping a safe distance from the door.

Twilight nodded before putting her arm around Spike's shoulders, with her other hand she took Alessio's. then, Twilight looked up at the door, then, at the gem on the top and narrowed her eyes, before realizing that the gem was the source of the power that brought her from her determination as her horn began to glow.

"I not gonna fail my test!." she exclaimed before casting a spell on the gem and held the magic the gem glowed before splitting into two rays at the edge of the door. All three let out a tired, relieved sigh from the experience of that door.

Alessio looked at Spike and Twilight and they both hugged him tightly. the hug lasted only a few minutes, but still enough to feel relieved again, when they released the hug. Twilight saw the dagger he held between the belt loops and looked up at him. "Wait a moment Alessio. Where did you find the dagger?"

Alessio knew he owed her an explanation. So he looked into her eyes, so as not to misunderstand and he told her. "It's a long story. Twilight I'll try to give you a summary because you know we can't waste any more time you see .. after we've all separated ..."

Alessio took a few minutes to explain what had happened. As he had before, for reasons of time, he would only tell her the most interesting parts. Therefore he limited himself to explaining that in his search for him; he had met an interesting pony and that stallion, he had given him information about the Heart of Crystal and the Dagger of Light.

"Okay. So what's the dagger for? It's for Equestria. Why was it in the nightmare room?" Twilight asked to urge her colt-friend.

Alessio looked into her eyes, in order to avoid any misunderstanding. "It seems that before her corruption. Queen Umbra was actually a good housekeeper before something made her what she is now. This dagger can help destroy the darkness within her and save her."

Spike was visibly stunned to hear that Queen Umbra was actually a good ruler, but Twilight had a look of uncertainty and it seemed far-fetched.
"You're sure Queen Umbra was a good ruler?, my books here don't talk much about her," Twilight said, looking at him uncertainly.

Alessio turned a look towards the open door, "So I really hope it was worth going in and out of there." he said without turning around, barely holding back his anger and frustration. After taking a ride with his fears and nightmares to pick up the dagger he had been suggested to take and for a moment, he wondered if that was really a good idea, but then, he remembered when he took the obsidian dagger at the wedding Canterlot, he looked down at the protruding hilt of the dagger and sighed. It was worth it.

Twilight looks at the dagger, then turned her attention to the door and saw that a bright light was shining through the crack below the door. she walks over to the door and opens it inwards. Alessio and Spike turned their attention and followed her and peered inside. Instead of another dark room and nightmares, there was a large room with a large staircase going upwards.

"I wonder where this stairs leads now?". She asked Spike looking up.

"It's lots and lots of stairs," Twilight snapped with a sigh.

"I hope he's not in a room full of snakes, bees wasps or worse spiders. We've all handled enough nightmares for today." Alessio said with a sigh and shivering a little at the thought.

"Could it lead to the Crystal Heart?." Twilight said hopefully. Everyone looks up for a few seconds.

"There's only one to find out," Alessio said as he patted both Twilight and Spike on the back, both nodded and started up the steps. They climbed up to the seventh step, before a strong earthquake took them by surprise. Twilight and Spike managed to keep their balance and leaned against the inside wall of the staircase, but Alessio who was climbing lost his balance and rolled down the staircase to the ground.

"Alessio, are you okay?". Twilight asked worriedly.

Alessio, who was still half seated at the base of the staircase, stood up with a grimace of pain and massaged his side, sigh of relief, when he felt that the dagger was intact and still in his place. "Yeah I'm fine Twilight. And I can say I definitely have bruises in places I'd rather not name" he said trying to joke even though he felt the affected parts on the steps aching, but when he looked up at Twilight and Spike. He frowned at their surprised and confused expression but seemed not to be staring at him.

"Uh Twilight, Spike. What is it?" He asked Alessio arching an eyebrow.

"There is a statue behind you". Twilight replied.

Alessio turned and found himself staring at a black crystal statue representing a unicorn mare. For a moment he wondered what she was doing here, but then, taking a closer look at the statue. It would take him several seconds before he figured out for sure who he was looking at and why she was put here. he recognized her. "But... Is it Princess Amore?!?" he said he amazed.

Twilight took a quick breath. "Princess Amore?. So Queen Umbra didn't destroy her after turning her into a black crystal statue. She hid it here with the Crystal Heart!"

Alessio nodded as he continued to look at the statue of Princess Amore. He was trying to figure out if there could be a way to free her from his state of hers, as he looked at the statue, he caught a vivid blue reflection on the surface, although it was opaque the crystal, Alessio could almost see himself reflected. He suddenly he stopped, realizing he looked up at the stairs, then, at the dagger he held at his belt.

"If the Dagger of Light, it could save Umbra. Maybe it could save Princess Amore too. He just hoped that if the Crystal Heart has some power here, it might work." he thought then, with a sigh, before slipping the dagger between the belt loops and without hesitation, placed the tip of the dagger against that of the statue's horn.

The contact between the blade and the horn, emitted an intense spark that forced Alessio to look away, while taking a step back and putting the knife back in its place between the belt. Twilight and Spike shielded their eyes with their hand. Then everyone heard a growing crack of crack and a flash. Moving his gaze, Alessio saw with surprise that the crystal shattered and Princess Amore was free.

The crystal unicorn, Princess Amore had real pale vermilion fur that looked like a light pink, her mane and tail were very long and flowing, with a gradient color from bright raspberry to moderate cobalt blue on the curled tips. She wore a long white dress with blue decorative hems that resembled ribbons with a golden heart and blue hems and on her wrists she had white satin bracelets with the same blue decorations and gold heart. a thin tiara in quartz and blue metal on her forehead with a small pendant in the shape of a golden heart and blue and gold sandals to the hoofs.
The unicorn staggered before falling forward. Alessio reacted quickly and grabbed her to prevent her from falling. Princess Amore fell into his arms.

Alessio held her up. Then after a few brief moments, Princess Amore moaned softly and slowly opened her eyes to a bright amber color, then, she looked him in the face for a moment before turning her attention to Twilight and Spike. She frowned, looking at everyone with confusion, wary.

"W-who are you?" She asked in a faint voice as if she hadn't spoken in a long time.

Alessio, Twilight, and Spike quickly showed up and told her they were there to save the Crystal Empire. An expression of amazement and hope appeared on Princess Amore's beautiful face.

But before they could even start a conversation. they were abruptly interrupted in the bud by another sudden earthquake, there blows, this time everyone managed to stay in balance. To support her, Alessio hugged her, and Princess Amore was lucky that he couldn't see that she was blushing slightly as she pressed against him. When the earthquake ended, they all exchanged glances at each other with an expression of concern.

"Something is happening. I'm afraid the shield is failing." Alessio turned to the door, frowned in a hard and determined expression, then turned to look at Twilight, Spike and finally Princess Amore. and said to both of them. "I'm taking Princess Amore to safety and I'll try to help the others. You two try to take Crystal's Heart and bring it back to the pedestal outside."

Twilight gave Alessio a worried look. "Okay, be careful," she told him. as Spike greets him.

Princess Amore, stunned, tries to get back on her feet but she can't do it without staggering, evidently after being freed from the transformation into a black crystal statue, she still needed to regain her physical and magical strength, sighs "I wish I could help you, but not I have a lot of power like I used to. I'm sorry but I'll help you as I can. " she said turning to them.

Alessio stared at both Twilight and Spike for a few moments, nodded and told him to be careful, then, holding up Princess Amore, headed for the door, while Twilight and Spike began to climb the flight of stairs.

As they climbed the stairs, Princess Amore supported by Alessio. She looked at him. her face was hardened into a determined expression and she met her gaze. her gray-green irises winked as if to tell her to hold on, because they would soon be out. if she was tired of climbing a very long flight of stairs, supporting someone, she did not show it. the crystal unicorn looked away from her and bit her lower lip.

"I tried to protect the Crystal Empire. I tried to help her, to bring Umbra back to normal. But I failed," she said in a hoarse, broken voice, closing her eyes, reopening them and they were watery, as if her was trying to hold back her tears.

"It was too late. Umbra had fallen into darkness and I couldn't stop her," she continued, then turned to the human.

"You said that you and the others, you are here to save the Crystal Empire, maybe there is still a hope of saving it. Please," she said looking him in the eye. "Do whatever it takes to save Umbra. She was and she can still be a very good ruler, please."

Alessio looked at her as they continued to climb the stairs. "I can't promise, but I'll do what I can. How you talk about it. You've known the Queen Umbra for a long time. Do you have any idea what could have made her suddenly evil?" he asked her.

Princess Amore slowly shook her head, "I'm sorry, I don't know what changed her. Umbra and I have known each other since we were fillies, she was and still is my best friend. I know her very well. That day I sensed clearly she needed help, it was when she tried to steal the Crystal Heart, "she said in a low voice, melancholy, remembering the day she was later transformed into a crystal black statue by Umbra's magic.

Alessio frowned and nodded, finding out what could have made Queen Umbra become evil, would not have been easy. From there they continued up the stairs until they reached the last step and returned to the throne room. Princess Amore seemed to have recovered because she had managed to climb the stairs without Alessio supporting her.

Then, Alessio walked to the window and opened his eyes wide when he saw the shattered shield. "oh no," he said, spelling out each word. he looked out and saw the town ponies have lost their crystalline appearance again and were running in all directions in collective panic. Looking away, he saw his friend mares in the central square trying to calm the situation.

Alessio and Princess Amore exchanged glances then nodded and ran towards the double doors of the throne room and ran down the corridor. When he opened the front door of the building, Alessio bumped into someone and tumbled to the ground along with the pony he bumped into. Slowly sitting up, he saw General Sun Steel rubbing his side and flapping his wings.

"For Galaxia. Look where you run ... Ah, Alessio. You're here. I was looking for you and Twilight. Princess Cadence passed out and the shield gave way." the general said sternly at first, then, widened his blue eyes in surprise and stood up again, together with the human.

Alessio turned to look at the horizon and could see from far away the black crystals that were emerging from the ground and frowned. "I noticed General Steel. I have good news. As we speak, Twilight and Spike are on their way to retrieve the Crystal Heart and Princess Amore is with us." he said, indicating with a nod of the head the unicorn mentioned.

Sun Steel did nothing to hide his surprised expression, then nodded respectfully to her, before looking at Alessio. "If the crystal ponies see their princess, they will be more relaxed and ready to cooperate. We have to take care of the civilians as much as I would like to face Queen Umbra, I have priorities!" and he told him.

Alessio looked around and saw that all the residents all trying to shelter from the black fog. More crystals continued to pour out of the ground as the mist moves through the city engulfing several houses within it, as if it were the pyroclastic cloud of a volcano. He saw his mares friends, Night Shield and Brilliant Ingenuity who had a worried and fearful look in their eyes, surprisingly Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword, their emotions seemed not to show but in their eyes there was visible concern and determination.

Night Shield turned to Alessio. "We need your help! What should we do !?" he said out loud.

Alessio narrowed his eyes and ran towards one of the high stands and, after taking a deep breath; "Every pony comes to the castle now! Move !. Move!" he shouted in a mighty voice, drawing the attention of all the ponies watching him. Alessio raised his hands above his head and pointed to the castle. "Did you hear me or not! Every pony comes to the castle now! Get moving!" he shout again. The ponies at first did not know what to do but then they started running towards the castle.

Princess Amore who was standing in the forecourt inside raised her voice, "Listen to the human. We can all manage to save the Crystal Empire. Let's stick together. If you flee you will condemn the empire !. We have allies who are ready to give their lives while to save us. You cannot disappoint them with your fear! ". she screamed to be heard. and as it had happened when Alessio had yelled at the ponies to gather at the castle. other crystal ponies seeing their princess returned listened to her and the call of the human and ran to the castle.

Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword exchanged glances and grinned. They took off and looked at the residents. "Do you want to protect your home? Listen to your princess and the human who came like us to help you! Like the sun that lights the way in the darkness do not flee. Run and stay united this has always been the unity that is patroness of the Crystal Empire! ". thundered the two generals, attracting more ponies.

Alessio jumped off the grandstand, and after calling his friends, he ran to some merry-go-round spears and grabbed as much as he could and two at a time he threw them at all the ponies that showed some courage and came forward, they caught them in flight.

Alessio yelled at them to follow the orders of General Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword and to protect one side of the castle. Then, he opened one of the crates and took out several crystals bearing the effigy of swords and gave them to his mares friends and his friends. although Rainbow Dash still wore the jousting armor and held her spear and shield in her arms, she nodded and raising her voice she order some ponies to wiggle their tails and snap into position.

Sun Steel cracked his knuckles noisily and grabbed one of the large benches and showing off a strength that would have surprised a land pony, he position it as if it were a twig on the side on an open side of the forecourt, while Brilliant Ingenuity used his magic to make others as much while with a bench as he was doing just as much by force of arms to lift another and placed them on the free sides. Night Shield took up a shield and held the sword in the guard position.

After giving Applejack a crystal sword and a shield to Fluttershy. Alessio looked at Sun Steel who was flying away and had lost something. he try to call him but the general pegasus did not hear him because he was flying to another position and was shouting orders. So, he grabbed the thick circular marble box and put it in the large inside pocket of his jacket. he would give it to him as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

However Alessio thought that he would need something more if he had to face the Queen Umbra face to face. and an idea came to him. a little crazy but still an idea, he had to get something in town. And before anyone could see him, he left for the city, stopping only for a second to look at the growing crowd of crystal ponies and his friends and his mares friends, who were busy and mentally Alessio told him to hold on and that he would be back right away.

"Twilight, Spike, but when does it take you to find Crystal's heart! The situation here isn't exactly the best!" Alessio thought in exasperation, as he jumped from roof to roof, sliding on one of the black crystals diagonally and climbing more of them while he was returning from where he had gone before. it had taken him less than five minutes to go and now another five minutes had passed and he had barely escaped the black fog.

Tall and majestic black crystals some with long spikes while some were smooth, others prism-shaped. Alessio used the smooth ones to reach quickly one of the tallest buildings and mentally thanked the diagonal roof structure of some of the houses of the Crystal Empire, otherwise he would not have been able to look at the state of the city and how to think about the fastest way to reach quickly the palace. He looked around and saw nothing but black fog and crystals covering the streets and houses, the darkness of him was spreading fast and he couldn't know how long there was still before the city was completely gone.

Alessio slid using the slope of the house before jumping at the right moment and rolling on the adjacent roof, before continuing to run when he heard a large screeching sound echoed around the city, and looked in the direction he was coming from.

With amazement he saw that the royal palace now had a dark appearance and was able to glimpse Spike in the distance running on the dark crystals and jumping from one to the other, flapping his wings every now and then to keep his balance, in his arms he had a gem heart-shaped luminescent; The Crystal Heart.

But Alessio saw a movement to the left and saw several crystals peeking out quickly in the direction of where his dragon friend was and Alessio was sure he heard a deep-toned voice say "is mine!" that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

"Don't stop Spike, don't stop and keep moving!". He exclaimed Alessio as if he wanted to encourage his friend from a distance, while he began to move from roof to roof, always keeping his eyes on Spike. At that moment Alessio saw a movement to the left and saw that a large formation of black crystal emerged from the ground and reached out towards where the young dragon was and from.

Spike kept running along the crystal when he suddenly tripped over a crystal prism popping up from under him and the young dragon fell off. The Crystal Heart had slipped out of his hand and he and his gem were rushing toward where the crystal formation was reaching for him. Alessio gasp schock, and he saw that the smoke emanating from the crystal formation was now manifesting a physical form; he recognized The Queen Umbra

The Queen Umbra, her fur was a dark gray color, while her long mane and tail are black. she wore metal armor that covered most of her body but seemed to fit snugly against her body, a dark red and white cloak. but her eyes were red with green sclera and a purple smoky trail around her eyes, she wore a metal tiara that held her mane back and highlighted the curved red horn at the end.

Alessio could only stare imposingly at both figures reaching out to Crystal's Heart.

Queen Umbra licked her lips as she reached out her right arm to the Crystal Heart. As Spike spread his wings and used them to glide and try to reach faster than his wings allowed him to the Crystal heart, but a stab of pain in the wing slowed him down and the tip of his left hand touched the heart causing it to rotate, Out of the corner of his eye with horror Spike realized that when he first tripped, he had torn a piece of the wing. But he clenched his teeth and spread his wings as wide as he could and stretched out his hands trying to grasp the Crystal Heart that was within reach of him and unfortunately also of Umbra.

Alessio stared at the scene in amazement. Spike and Queen Umbra were both close at hand to grab the Crystal Heart, clenched fists and teeth. whispering come on Spike.

It almost seemed that time had slowed down. Spike and Umbra were inches from grabbing the Crystal Heart. If the dragon could grab it, he could keep it out of the shadows. but if Queen Umbra could get hold of her heart, she would once again claim her reign. And she was closer than she was, a devilish grin of triumph spread across her face as she reached more for her prize.

Spike's memories came like a flash. the dragon thought of the ponies he loved, the friends he had earned, his beloved mare that made his heart beat. And for an instant he had the torment, the weight of imminent failure, of his world going mad, of his friends enslaved or worse killed. of Equestria fall under the tyrannical control of Queen Umbra and he himself saw the worst thing about being locked in a crystal and watching helplessly.

like one by one innocent being forced to work hard in the crystal catacombs on the orders of the queen.

Spike gritted his teeth and let a small tear flow out of his eyes, before his expression turned serious, he closed his wings and reached as far as he could to grab the Crystal Heart.

Suddenly a pink flash shot too fast to be seen with the naked eye and Spike and the Crystal Heart were gone. Umbra was shocked when she saw the crystal heart vanish before her eyes and she looked around. "What?!" she scream.
Alessio opened his eyes wide in surprise, before looking around, and then, a big smile appeared on his face.

Umbra looked around before hearing a loud whistle and turned to look, her red eyes widening in shock at what her saw.

Princess Cadence was wide awake and grinning deviously at Umbra. Her arms she held on tight on one of spikes arms as held the Crystal Heart in the other.

Alessio smiled and exulted. "Great job Princess Cadence! You and Spike were great!". he exclaimed.
Princess Cadence was flying full speed towards her pedestal. Spike held hold of her with one arm to her, while he held the Crystal Heart with the other.

But Queen Umbra's sudden scream of intense rage echoed through the city like the crash of thunder. "How dare you!". And at the same time, huge sharp black crystals began to burst out of the ground, more like a tidal wave of crystal in pursuit of Princess Cadence and Spike.

Alessio saw Princess Cadence perform evasive maneuvers quickly to avoid the crystal spikes poking out a few meters in front of her and the pink alicorn listened to Spike's warning cries, to avoid more sharp crystal spikes being thrown at them.

Alessio jumped onto the nearby roof and slid onto it, then jumped onto a crystal and jumped down to reach the road and started running quickly following Cadence and Spike side by side. Alessio quickly thought of a way to help them reach the pedestal safely.

luck seemed to be on Alessio's side, since he saw in front of what was left of the square where Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Night Shield had been juggling sometimes even with General Obsidian Sword. But it was not the square that attracted his attention but the empty open crates which he himself had opened earlier to deliver the spears and swords to his friends. So he walked over to them, he lift one of them to his feet and turned to look at Cadence and blew a whistle to get her attention and yelled at her to use the box as a shield.

At first, Cadence wondered what he had in mind, then he understood, nodded and flew in his direction, lit the horn and with magic lifted the box and put it in midair behind him. in fact that brief slowdown had unknowingly helped the Umbrian queen who threw crystal spikes at her, but the improvised wooden shield, modestly offered protection even though some spikes protruded dangerously inwards, Cadence continued to fly increasing the speed.
But the rain of crystal spikes had also targeted Alessio who promptly threw himself behind a crystal formation. Alessio felt two punctures in his left leg and right arm and felt the trickle of hot blood dripping from the smear wound.

Alessio immediately got to his feet and continued to run and jumped from one crystal to another. Alessio saw the flicker of a peak of black crystal that passed a few centimeters from his face and then went to stick into the ground nearby. he quickly managed to get out of reach, jumping over the rooftops or so he hoped as he continued to follow Spike and Cadence. He looked over and saw that they were approaching the inner square of the building and where the pedestal was from which the crystal heart must stand is just a few more houses below.

"Almost there Cadence !. Go on!" Alessio shouted.

But one of the crystals summoned by Umbra suddenly appeared a few meters in front of Cadence and the Queen herself appeared at the top with an expression of pure anger and hatred, a devilish grin on her face as she illuminated the horn and made a large crystal tip float.
Cadence would have a few seconds to react quickly and too little for Alessio to warn her. But suddenly. he and Cadence saw a golden figure swoop down from above.

General Sun Steel, darting from above at full speed in a swoop, which Rainbow Dash would surely have been a bit envied, against the Queen Umbra. Which noticed the attack, vanished becoming a shadow in the crystal, a few seconds before the general pegasus smashed a powerful fist on the crystal that shattered break it in two it and then, with a quick flap of wings moved to the side and shouted for Cadence to keep moving. The alicorn did not have it repeated twice and went on.
Alessio continued running following Princess Cadence and Spike. Glancing over his shoulder, Alessio saw Sun Steel ready to face the Queen Umbra, but then, he continue a run following the pink alicorn..

Umbra appeared on another crystal and stared at the general in anger and surprise. "The Sun Elite army? I will wipe you out for getting in the way!" roared the queen, as more crystals sprouted from the ground towards General Sun Steel.

"Well, come forward Queen" Sun Steel replied with a determined grin.

Umbra grinned as she threw several crystal spikes at him, the pegasus general quickly flew to avoid him and launched himself like a living missile at the queen. Umbra popped a crystal barrier in front of him, Sun Steel however, threw himself against it anyway and the background before crashing into another barrier immediately erected behind the broken one.

With a scream and sword drawn Obsidian Sword swooped behind Umbra and swung her, which never landed, as Umbra used a crystal as a shield deflecting the attack and grabbed her by the leg and threw her at a formation of crystals.
Obsidian Sword screamed in pain as her right wing slammed into a protruding crystal spike, piercing itself.

Sun Steel widened his eyes and turned to face Umbra, who had vanished and was chasing Princess Cadence and Spike again. the pegasus general glanced at his comrade in arms who nodded and motioned him to go as the bat pony tried to slip off her tip, clenching its teeth."don't let it get away Steel"
With an expression of anger, general Sun Steel set off in pursuit of Umbra.

It wasn't long before, Alessio noticed with a smile already seeing that a matter of a few minutes and they would reach the pedestal. Then moving his gaze to Cadence and Spike, he saw the triumphant expression on the alicorn's face and Spike's relieved expression as he clutched the Crystal Heart.

But Alessio's smile faded, his expression became a look of fear, When he saw one of the crystals summoned by Umbra emerge violently from the ground, Cadence tried to dodge it but did not do it and another blunt crystal hit her there. 'left wing, the force of the impact, making it unable to control the flight and fell to the ground, Cadence tried to climb but in vain, was very close to the ground.

Spike managed to grab Cadence and hold onto her as his back cushioned her fall. They slid to the ground a few meters before a cloud of dust covered them. As the cloud of dust settles, Queen Umbra appears before them, some black crystals floating beside her as she stared at the dragon and the princess.

Princess Cadence had passed out from the fall, but Spike was still awake, seeing Umbra standing above them, a look of anger and hatred startled him as she growled enough to make him hear and crystal formations began to form from the ground around her.

"You ... Miserable weak dragon. You don't get it !. This is my kingdom !. These are my slaves!" she roared as her magic glowed brighter as the crystal spikes pointed at him and the fainting Cadence.

Spike swallowed in fear as he saw the spikes were aiming at him and the princess.

"And I won't let a weak dragon and an inferior princess take what's rightfully mine!" She yelled Umbra so loudly, Spike didn't even hear his own heartbeat in his ears. the dragon felt the blood drain from his face as he saw the queen's cruel grin spread wider.

Then, her head tilted back and then to the side as a metal object hit her in the face, near on eye. Alessio who had seen everything that had happened from the nearby road, had promptly grabbed metal joust helmet nearby, and then, with precise aim he had thrown it at Umbra.

Umbra turned with a furious expression towards Alessio and ignored Spike and Princess Cadence, threw at them the same spikes that a few seconds ago the young dragon and the pink alicorn were pointing. With an alertness of reflexes, Alessio dived sideways dodging the spikes, rolled onto his shoulders and quickly got back to his feet, then, without hesitation, rushed forward against Umbra, placing in front of him the shield he had found earlier near the helmet.

Umbra growled in anger and threw other spikes at him. Alessio, who held up his shield to protect himself, nevertheless underestimated its weight and found himself unbalanced. the impact of one of the spikes, shatters the shield to pieces and unbalanced him further and the shield fell before being hit by other spikes, one of which arrived just below the heart, and he felt the flesh penetrated and torn by the points with a muffled thud. Impact was violent to the point of making him lose his balance; thrown backwards. Alessio caught a last glimpse of the ferocious smug satisfied of Queen Umbra and scream of horror and fear from Spike and Princess Cadence.

Princess Cadence had regained consciousness a few seconds before, shook her head slightly and looked up at Spike and just when he was about to ask him what had happened. saw Alessio charging Umbra and a second later the spikes hit the human like arrows and throw him backwards, she gasped in shock. Spike widened his eyes in horror to see his best friend who loved him as an older brother , which lay lifeless on the ground.

"Noo!. Alessio!". Spike and Cadence yelled in unison.

Ignoring the supine body of Alessio. Queen Umbra turned to Spike and Cadence still shocked, she gave them a merciless grin. "You better accept the inevitable,you two will end up like him" she said as more crystal peaks appeared. before seeing movement to her right and reacted late to see Sun Steel rushing towards her.

Sun Steel threw a mighty punch in Umbra's face. The queen ended up being thrown back a few meters but she remains standing, grunting with force and spitting out a clot of blood and giving the general a grin with blood-red teeth and she in turn throws a direct punch to the face.

But the general pegasus nimbly dodged the punch with the experience of a professional boxer and counterattacked by hitting her with a double punch and a powerful right hook, which Umbra managed to parry with her forearm with a dull sound produced by the armor on impact. with the gauntlets of the pegasus and struck him with a violent punch in the face. Sun Steel stepped back with blood dripping from his nostrils and with a combination of speed from a flap of wings and his boxing experience in his youth made a feint from the right and hit her from the left with a right hook and then with a right. but he found himself hitting nowhere as Umbra had vanished into a mist and appeared behind the pegasus and hit him with a ray of magic in the back.

Sun Steel grunted in pain before making a quick spin on his heels and hit her with the back of his fist on the cheek, making her back off but Umbra caught his next punch, grabbed his arm and threw him against a crystal pillar. But Sun Steel nimbly, he spun in midair, aimed his hooves on the pillar and gave himself the flap of his wings to charge her and very close, he brought his leg in a well-thrown circular kick.
But Umbra sensed he attacked him and emitting a low growl and a grin, grabbed his leg as he lost it and threw him back at the nearby crystal pillar.

But someone else attacked by surprise; with a longsword swipe at Umbra, the blow, however, was deflected by the armor and the queen saw the general Obsidian Sword throwing another swipe from the right towards the head. Umbra spawned a large block of crystal and intercepted the attack and by making a dark crystal sword appear, her slashed the bat pony, which quickly raised the sword and swerved attacked it, although it let out a hiss of pain when the blade of crystal made a cut on her shoulder.

Immediately after Obsidian began to attack Umbra with quick slashes, but Umbra was able to parry and deflect them with the sword that with the crystal barrier he used as a shield, her grinned with amusement in triumph. Before she saw the bat pony she grinned and heard a rustle behind her and saw Sun Steel charging her.

Umbra quickly vanished into black mist and sharp black crystals sprouted from the ground. Sun Steel managed to keep it from walking away quickly, but the bat pony found its leg stuck and saw too late that Umbra threw a magical beam at her and knocked her back to the ground. when the general bat pony was standing up holding her injured leg, which surprisingly she was slowly bleeding from the curse of immortality that had happened in the past during the war, as Sun Steel had. Obsidian heard Sun Steel's warning and saw crystal spikes coming at her, before she felt the pegasus' strong arms encircle her waist and move her and heard the sound of spiked flesh and a grunt of pain.

They both rolled onto the ground before stopping and Obsidian Sword looked at Sun Steel and saw that it had a crystal tip stuck in its right wing and flank. With a dull grunt of pain, Sun Steel slowly pulled the tip from his hip. "I'm fine obsidian. And you?". Sun Steel said worried, looking at her.

Obsidian Sword looked into her eyes for a moment then she nodded. "I'm fine. I hate to say it but we are no longer what we once were." she said standing up. As Sun Steel turned to look at Umbra she was distracted by the simultaneous arrival of Night Shield and Brilliant ingenuity.

Night Shield charged Umbra and made a quick lunge with the spear he wielded. Umbra however she used the crystal barrier as a shield to deflect the attack but when she was about to slash Night. A ray of dark blue magic struck the sword and shattered it. Brilliant ingenuity grinned as his horn smoked and unleashed another magical attack on her.

But Umbra vanished into a mist and moved swiftly towards Brilliant Ingenuity and hit him just as he was about to throw a Brilliant magical beam he screamed in pain as his horn became covered in black crystals and when Umbra appeared she grabbed him and threw him at the house near, causing him to break through the window and through the next wall.

Night Shield quickly went to check where Brilliant Ingenuity had landed and saw him writhing on the floor with a grimace of pain and when he saw him. the muscular unicorn motioned for him to go. Night Shield nodded and prepared to face the Queen Umbra together with Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword.

Umbra saw above the generals and the bat pony one of the black crystals she had summoned herself, she grinned and her horn flashed and she shot a ray of magic at the crystal, shattering it. Sun Steel and Obsidian widened their eyes at a sudden piercing sound and promptly moved in unison as if they were one mind; Obsidian Sword grabbed Night Shield, while Sun Steel with a flutter of wings, albeit a grunt of pain, snapped and grabbed both Princess Cadence and Spike and moved them as behind them, the pillar collapsed and crashed with a crash to the ground.

Umbra grinned and popped a tall, massive crystal formation to divide general pegasus, the young dragon, and Princess from general bat pony. then, the queen formed other crystals and concentrated her magic in them ready to hurl them at them. none of them would have had a chance. she thought with a grin.

She did not hear the sound of footsteps crawling on the ground behind her, and she saw no shadow reflected on the nearby crystal. but she Umbra jumped at the warning cry that she echoed just as she was about to throw the spikes.

"Sun Steel!"

Umbra whirled around, then froze in disbelief as if she had seen a ghost. There was Alessio, standing six meters away, with the crystal tip protruding from his chest. while a large blob of congealed blood from the left shoulder, and another from the right hip, terrified as if it were a ghost, the bloodied face littered with cuts from the splinters of crystal and wood and a horrible purple lump on the forehead. His right sleeve, which matched his left leg, was dripping with fresh blood, and his face twisted with a grimace of pain. But, as battered and hurt as he was, he stared at Umbra with an air of defiance and anger. Only the lack of the two crystal points that had struck him dissipated the feeling of a supernatural vision.
Umbra could not help but stare, incredulous for a brief moment, before regaining control.

"You will be next," Umbra hissed before turning, underestimating the remote possibility that the human could be a threat in his medriochi condition. And she threw spikes at Sun Steel, Spike and Princess Cadence, the general pegasus had answered the call of the 'human and recovering from the surprise, he quickly grabbed the surprised young dragon and went into cover behind a nearby crystal pillar, followed by Princess Cadence and Umbra's attack was in vain.

Confident that Sun Steel had heard his warning, Alessio pervaded by an iron determination and anger, erasing all residual traces of common sense. there was enough anger and determination in him to stifle all pain. With a feral leap, he lunged at Umbra. Taking advantage of her brief distraction but regained his lucidity, when there were a few meters and seeing her Umbra had turned to look at him and her horn lit up ready to throw a ray of magic at him. He did not delude himself that he could get away with it, her distance although less than two meters and Umbra, could not miss the target.

Alessio barely felt the magic ray penetrating his flesh enduring the shock. He threw Umbra into the air with a powerful blow, grabbing her legs as his shoulder smashed her armor against her. the incredulous expression spread over Umbra's face in contrast to Alessio's angry grin. He slams the queen against the crystal pillar next to her shattering it and they both crashed to the ground.
Umbra groaned in pain and anger as she slowly turned and stared at the human close to her and before she could attack him. Alessio lifted his left leg and put his hands on the ground quickly to deliver a violent kick to the face making her fall to the ground and he stood up, staggering and without turning he shouted the name of Spike.

Spike, who was surprised to see his best friend alive, blinks and comes to his senses. "Y-Yes".

"Move your ass and take Crystal's Heart to the pedestal! Move!" Alessio replied.

Spike jumped from his friend's authoritarian tone but nodded and with the Crystal Heart under his arm, he obeyed. then quickly Alessio after having narrowly avoided a punch aimed at the face by Umbra. He yelled at Sun Steel to take Princess Cadence away.

Sun Steel nodded as he stared at the human, then grabs Princess Cadence's arms and leaves with a quick flutter of wings. He was able to thank that he could heal quite quickly due to his immortality received during the war, if he now managed to fly away with the pink alicorn. Meanwhile he stared at the human. Sun Steel reminded him of two people he had fought with; one had been the leader of the humans with whom he fought side by side, while another was a Captain of the Royal Guards who had fought during the Great War. The pegasus shook his head returning to focus on what he had to do and told Princess Cadence that they would go straight to the pedestal.

Alessio barely dodged a combination of punches from Umbra, but not another combination of punches that he couldn't parry, he felt his head like inside a bell and shook his head to clear his head. He put his arms in a defensive position as Umbra continued to punch him. Alessio grunted as Umbra's armored fist hit him in the intestines and despite his pain, he hit her with a violent uppercut to the face and a subsequent right hook, then a left, and a direct to the face. he gritted his teeth and lowered his head to counter her headbutt and they both felt their heads thunder, they both staggered backwards. But Alessio recovered first and hit her in the face with a right hook, then, he feigned a left and when Umbra quickly dodged the non-existent punch, he was ready to hit her with a well placed punch to the chin that made her stagger. who went back a step. she wiped the blood off the back of her forearm and stared at him with hatred and anger.

Alessio tried not to show that he was almost exhausted from his injuries, but he had to hold on for as long as possible. he mentally he thought of Spike. "How long does it take Spike to get the heart to the pedestal!" he thought before dodging Umbra's attack when she had vanished into shadow and appeared to his side to try to punch him in the head.

Queen Umbra came at him throwing punch after punch. some punches Alessio could not dodge her, but he managed some of the times to dodge the others, Alessio almost doubled up when Umbra hit him with a deadly kick in the ribs and he felt as if he hadn't had a bone intact, he wouldn't surprised if he had several cracked or worse broken ribs. Alessio could not deny it. it was enough for him to see how she fought against Sun Steel, Obsidian Sword and his friends Night Shield and Brilliant Ingenuity. and now that she was experiencing it firsthand. the strength of Queen Umbra is truly deadly.

Incredibly Alessio managed to miraculously remain on shaky legs, but he gasped in excruciating suffering. Then Umbra threw herself at him throwing a punch that Alessio dodged and hit her with a straight one in the face, but Umbra grabbed the tip protruding from Alessio's chest and tried to sink it, but to her great surprise, the tip did not move it was as if blocked from something and Alessio took the opportunity to hit her with a blow to the neck. Causing her to eyes widen and cough gasp as she grabbed her neck with one hand and coughed. A risky and dangerous blow but useful in cases to save his life.

However, it was Alessio who let his guard down, because with a surprise move too fast even to be anticipated, Umbra grabs him by the neck with both hands and begins to squeeze his throat hard.
Alessio continued to strike at Umbra's chest, but not even the most violent blow was able to release the pressure that was interrupting the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. black and white flashes began to dance in front of his eyes, and he felt his strength fade away, he could no longer see and it seemed as if he hadn't breathed for a year, he even grabbed Umbra's wrists with both hands and pushed to force her to loosen her grip in vain.

Meanwhile Spike ran as fast as he could, the Crystal Heart held tightly to his chest. He smiled as he saw the crowd of Crystal ponies and the pedestal now closer and closer. He ran to other dark crystals poking out before him. Before some rays of magic damaged some of the crystals when they sprouted and Spike saw Princess Amore again and seconds later he saw General Sun Steel and Princess Cadence land. With Alessio's words still in his head to move, Spike accelerated his run, slipped and jumped over some black crystals before reaching the pedestal, followed by Princess Cadence. Princess Amore had stayed behind with the other Crystal ponies and watched the scene.

"The Crystal Heart has returned. Ponies to Empire Crystal. Use the light and love within your to ensure that Queen Umbra does not!". She exclaimed Princess Cadence. as Spike pauses in front of the pedestal, quickly puts the crystal heart back in place and takes a few steps as the heart begins to spinning as glow brighter before turning white. All Crystal ponies acquired their crystalline, translucent and resplendent form and kneel forward using the light within them. the ground began to glow until it became bright white.

Alessio was gasping as if he hadn't breathed for a year. his right hand moved with convulsive motion as he slowly tried to move his left upward.
Queen Umbra held him tight, she increased her grip on his neck. then with a mischievous grin he brings his face close to that of the human while he stares into his eyes. she wanted to see the light of life abandon him.

"You fought bravely I grant it to you human. If I hadn't been so irritating. I could have kept you all to myself, how my personal slaved" she begins. "So, how does it feel to feel your life slowly starting to slip away? Did you feel cold?". she let out a small giggle.

"No". he said Alessio gasping. while his sight grew fainter, as did his strength. his right hand di lui continued to move with greater convulsive motion, closed his fingers into fists. while he had managed to raise his left hand and grab Umbra's wrist again.

Umbra rise eyebrow, as let out a small giggle again."No, human?" she teased him, "Aww. Nothing more meaningful than a 'no', like your last words, before you die? Speak now or shut up forever, then?".

"Why ...." Alessio gasped, moved his lips without saying a word. Umbra expected to hear something and she brings her face closer to that of the human, trying to hear his last words well. She did not notice that Alessio slipped slowly his hand closer to Umbra's neck.

"Why. What?" she scoffed.

"Why do you all waste time babbling". With his last strength, Alessio moved his arm forward flexes his wrist and finally the complex mechanism of the hidden blade, which he had borrowed from the antique shop when he returned to town, finally worked! With his left hand he grabbed her by the collar of hers armor and pulled her quickly towards him, so that her face slammed into his. The violent impact on her nose made her eyes water and loosen her grip a little, then Alessio acted. he flexed his arm and thrust the extended blade into the her side where there was a gap between the armor and the fur. she screams in pain as he lets go of his neck and takes a step back, pressing her hand to the wound.

Alessio landed sitting on the ground, breathing out of breath. He took several quick, deep breaths, looked at her and before she could react. he took the gamble, and twisted his hip, as managed to deliver by ground, a quick low kick to the side of the knee, the impact on the before leg already sore from the previous lunge, dropped Umbra on knees, Alessio took the opportunity to get up quickly. Then, from afar he saw the Crystal Empire glowing bright white and shining across the city.

Now or never! Alessio told himself, well aware that he didn't have much time to help Queen Umbra quickly. he quickly drew the Dagger of Light between the belt loops and walked over to her. Umbra did not react quickly and Alessio stuck the dagger into her heart. the Dagger pierced her armor, but exactly as with the obsidian dagger in the catacombs at the Canterlot Wedding. The Dagger of Light penetrated her heart without letting out a single drop of blood.

Alessio held Umbra tight and firm grip on the dagger, as he saw the light shining through the city and in seconds would have reached both. Umbra looked incredulously at the hilt of the dagger protruding from her chest and looked up, meeting the gaze of the human. she expected to see an expression of triumph from his as he instead looked at her impassively and stared into his eyes. It was then that Alessio noticed that the queen's armor collar was loose and he saw that she was wearing a gold necklace with a small heart-shaped pendant of blue crystal. But he had the only fateful question he wanted to know, to find certainty in the words they had heard about her.

"Queen Umbra ... you were once a great ruler, loved by the whole kingdom. I didn't get a precise answer. For this I need to know. Tell me ... why ?. Why did you become evil?". Alessio asked her staring into her eyes.

Umbra stared into his eyes as he asked the question. Then her mouth moved and Alessio, now looking into her eyes and scrutinizing better her face, noticed something unmistakable in her features and he was genuinely stunned, before hearing that she was speaking and only said a name. 'Just to .. save my daughter .. ". But the light blinded him and everything went black .. the last thing he heard before he passed out was almost a whisper, "Amore Cadenza"

Alessio was dreaming, he didn't know how, about what Umbra had told him before the light overwhelmed them. Amore Cadenza. These exact words Umbra had said to him. I'm thinking the unthinkable she told herself in the dream. But they hadn't escaped him, like the unmistakable features of her and that he had seen, the little gold necklace with a blue crystal crystal she wore. identical to Princess Cadence's cutie mark. the full name of Cadence and: Mi Amore Cadenza. in his dream. He compare the faces of both and the solution was evident and would completely confirm his hypothesis, but he wanted the last answers to confirm and thought that the key to everything would be Cadence and Umbra herself.

He woke with a start, found himself staring at a white ceiling and a soft annoying light that forced him to close his eyes and blink several times to chase away the fog, before slowly looking around. he felt his head throbbing and as if he had ended up inside a bell and was in a state of confusion. it took him ten, fifteen seconds to realize from what he saw that it appeared to be in a hospital room or some kind of ward. Then, he slowly sat up, saw several medical beds and IV stands. As he rubs his head with one hand and felt him wearing gauze around his head, he saw that everyone slept on two of the available beds, and others slept on a small mat on the floor or sitting on chairs nearby.
Alessio slowly lowered his gaze to his body and saw that it was covered by various bandages and had an IV bag connected to his arm.

Then, he noticed that on the nearby bedside table were his eyeglasses which must have been repaired, as he remembered losing them, perhaps when the shield was hit and shattered, next to the glasses. There was the large circular ring holder in smooth stone, which General Sun Steel had lost and driven into the object was a crystal spike, the same one that Umbra had thrown at him in the attack.

Alessio remembers how very lucky he had been. If he hadn't picked up that object, and hadn't slipped it into the inside pocket of his jacket. the crystal spike would hit him under his heart, killing him instantly. perhaps even the wallet he kept in the same pocket had saved his life.

Alessio reached out to grab his glasses, causing, however, over the accidental fall of the water bottle left nearby, even some medical supplies and throwing a curse through gritted teeth. the bottle fell sideways, rolled and fell to the ground, shattering. the sound of breaking glass was enough to wake everyone up.

Everyone present had woken up and with sleepy eyes looked at him, before opening them wide with surprise, relief and everyone rushed towards him. they bombarded him with many strong hugs but then, they immediately loosened their grip or let go when they saw a grimace of pain on his face.

Rarity magically cleaned up the broken bottle fragments and set aside the medical supplies so that none of those present could be accidentally injured. Meanwhile Fluttershy with watery eyes took a glass and take it to the sink, filling it with water. she then brought it to Alessio and helped him drink it slowly, "Thanks Fluttershy" Alessio said thanking her.

When he asked why they are crying. It has been bombarded again, not by hugs but by many questions about what is happening. Fortunately Princess Cadence had managed to calm everyone present. Then, she turned to Alessio and explained that he had brought back. several multiple wounds, even from a magical attack, several cracked ribs, three broken, internal organ injuries.

"When they found you. The doctors said you could go into a coma or worse... you could die," Princess Cadence said faintly, sniffing.

"I was really very lucky," Alessio said swallowing, before glancing at the small quartz box on the bedside table. "This box and my wallet saved my skin." he added.

Spike sighed as he shivered. "Really Alessio, I really believed you were dead. When Cadence and I saw you standing a few meters away from Queen Umbra. For a moment. I thought you really were a ghost."

Twilight pat Spike's shoulder to reassure him, then looked at Alessio. "What's in that box by the way? We didn't open it." her asked him.

Alessio shook his head slowly. "I don't know. You should ask General Sun Steel. And his box, he dropped it and I picked it up to give it back to him at another time." he said.

The general Obsidian Sword who was present in the room widened her eyes, before frowning as she slowly flapped her wings, on the membrane of the right wing was a white scar that looked like a recently fully healed wound. Then, as if he had somehow been called into the room, Sun Steel entered.

The General pegasus was surprised to see Alessio conscious and sigh of relief, as if a weight had been lifted from his chest. "He's woken up," he said as he closed the door behind him. "You were really lucky, you know. You are alive by a miracle. In the name of Celestia. I would not have forgiven me." he added, looking away.

Alessio smiled before reaching out to the box and grabbing it. "Yes, I often hear it repeated. But if I am alive I owe it above all to you General Sun Steel. If you hadn't lost this and I hadn't collected it. I wouldn't be here now". he said before reaching out his hand. "This is yours, general"

Sun Steel stiffened and hesitated for a moment to look at Obsidian Sword who was looking at him curiously, then the general pegasus walked to the bed. Shining Armor and Fluttershy pulled away to let him pass.

Sun Steel stared at the human then, reached out and grabbed the box. he smiled. "Enough with the formalities. Just call me Steel or Sun Steel, all right. Alessio or should I call you Alex?". He asked.

"As he prefers. Sun Steel". Alessio replied.

The general nodded and after taking the box, sat down on a distant chair, took a quick glance at the box after easily removing the tip and was surprised how it was almost completely pierced, it still stopped a crystal tip. and he slipped into a bag that he kept tied to his belt and made sure he never dropped the box again. he glanced quickly at Obsidian and then looked at the human.

Alessio leaned on the bed, which had been tilted earlier by Fluttershy to make him comfortable. when suddenly Alessio remembers that he still had a question to find the definitive answer. and he sat up abruptly on the bed, "Wait a minute!. Where is Queen Umbra?" he asked, before grimacing and stifling a groan of pain from his aching ribs. mentally he wondered with concern if the Dagger of Light had failed to save her, despite everything he went through trying to save her.

"She here beside you". Princess Amore said from the other side of the room, behind a booth that she opened. The princess wore a blue dress with the same heart-shaped decorative motifs used for her dresses. she moves to show the bed next to where Alessio was.
Although Shining Armor had prevented Alessio from moving abruptly, he still managed to lean out to see the bed next to him.

Without her armor, the tiara and her horn are now no longer curved and straight and not red at the tip. It took Alessio a few moments to recognize the Queen Umbra sleeping peacefully on the medical bed, curiously she had the crystalline form. She was handcuffed to the bed as a precaution and had a magic inhibitor ring metal on her horn.

"She was next to you when we found you. We were very surprised that she wasn't blown away by the light emitted by the Crystal Heart. And that she had a crystalline shape like the other crystal ponies. Princess Amore told us to bring her here. in the hospital, but we insisted on taking precautions to keep her here in the hospital" Shining Armor said frowning.

"I'm glad Queen Umbra is fine," Alessio said in a relieved tone, nodded in complete agreement with Shining Armor's decision. then, he shifted his gaze to Queen Umbra, then to Princess Cadence and vice versa. He had to tell Cadence about her insight she had discovered about Umbra, but how?

Alessio reflects for a moment on how to do it then, once the decision has been made. he took courage. he turned to look at Princess Cadence. "Princess Cadence. There is one thing I want to ask you, and you have to answer my question. About your parents.'Ve never known them?". he asked.

Princess Cadence stared at him speechless, as it's been a while since Anypony had asked her that question about her parents. and in hers head her wondered 'why so suddenly' then touching her chest with her fingertips where she kept under her dress a small gold chain with a pendant in crystal blue that replicated what it is then, her cutie mark. The only gift from her mother that her has never known and that her remembered little or nothing, her sighed and her sat in a nearby chair without taking her eyes off the human.

Alessio silently listened to Princess Cadence explaining that Celestia found her one evening in the throne room and was taking care of her when she was little more than a few months old filly. He had never told her who her real parents were as not even Princess Celestia knew who they were about her. I have better, he had suspected and rarely talked about it with Celestia, about the possibility that her parents might have been gifted unicorns or pegasus or something like that because she wasn't as powerful as Celestia or Luna together or not. It was rare since alicorns are mostly born to a stallion and an alicorn mare and only one in a trillion chance would somehow give birth to a healthy and strong alicorn foal. She thought that her parents, of whom she precisely had only a slight memory of her mother, were blessed parents who gave her to Celestia because she was an alicorn. Somehow he knew from the start that it wasn't the right answer.

Alessio interrupted her with a wave of his hand. "You said you only have a slight memory of your mother. What exactly do you remember?". he asked.

Princess Cadence touched her chest again and dug her fingers into the collar of her dress and pulled out a gold chain with a blue crystal heart pendant. "I have this necklace that Celestia found with me in the basket and ... if I close my eyes," she said and closed her eyes. "if she tried to think of my mother ... I remember ... in addition to her lullaby and this necklace. I vaguely remember that she wore it around her neck.". she said as she bit her lip.

Alessio frowned as he glanced quickly at the bed where Umbra was asleep. And for a moment he was thinking it wasn't the right time to say his guess about him, then he slowly shook his head and sighed. He had to go through with it and 'it was the right thing to do'.

"Princess Cadence. I guess obviously apart from the necklace and the lullaby. I guess your full name; Mi Amore Cadenza. Was written on a card or letter in the basket with you." he asked her. And Princess Cadence just nodded as she stared at him. While everyone looked at him and asked him where he wanted to go.

Alessio frowned as he glanced again on the bed where Umbra was asleep. then, confronts Cadence.

"When I used the Dagger of Light on Umbra to save her. I asked her what happened to make her evil. And she told me. That she did it; just to save her daughter; That is, You Cadence. Her daughter is named exactly. like you; Mi Amore Cadenza. Besides, you and Umbra, if you look closely, you will see that she looks quite similar to her and she has the exact same necklace around her neck".

Everyone present dropped their jaws and shocked expressions spread from them. Cadence was fortunate that she was sitting in the chair because she would need to sit serially, because her shock of her was the greatest of all.

"No way ... So are you saying that I'm ..." she said uncertain and stunned by what she was hearing. In all these years of trying to find out about her true parents, she now finds the truth. a truth she couldn't believe.

Alessio nodded. "I understand your surprise and disbelief. But yes, Princess Cadence. You are the daughter of King Crystal Spectrum Prism and Queen Umbra. The next lineage of the crystal Empire." he said.

Princess Cadence looked almost in tears as she grabbed her head, shocked by this horrible truth about herself. That her mother was the tyrant who took control of the empire and condemned it in eternal darkness. Near her wife. Shining Armor was doing his best to comfort her. Most of him wanted to comfort his love for her. But a little other part of him wanted to wrangle Twilight’s coltfriend neck for telling Cadence something as profound as this.

As Rarity passed out and this time not as dramatically as she usually did, Fluttershy with the help of Rainbow Dash, lifted the Fashionista off the ground and placed her on the bed, Rarity woke a few seconds later looking shocked.

Princess Amore walked slowly towards Princess Cadence, who she looked up to look at her in confusion, before frowning as she bit her lip. Princess Amore told her that she hadn't noticed before, because she was still bewildered by being free from being turned into a black crystal statue and was soon after focused on helping them all to protect the Crystal Empire, from noticing. her resemblance to Umbra. Soon after she Princess Amore explained to Cadence and how she had said to now and confirming her words of hers, about that she Queen Umbra, before she became evil she was a good ruler and they were good friends with her. Then, slowly Princess Amore hugged Princess Cadence what a surprise, she returned her hug. Princess Amore added that she would stay by Cadence when Umbra woke up to hear her truth about her too.

Then Twilight, Shining Armor, both tried to control the situation. starting to ask Alessio questions that he tried to answer in the best possible way.

In the beginning Princess Cadence, she asked Alessio what was the Dagger of Light that he had named and that Twilight and Spike had only minimally mentioned, while they waited and hoped that he would awaken. Alessio repeated the same words in which he had said to Twilight and Spike, about having found an interesting pony that he had told him about the Crystal Heart and the Dagger of Light. Alessio wisely preferred not to tell those present about Medal of Valor and the sanctuary.

Shining Armor asked Alessio where he got those leather bracelets he had. Alessio said he couldn't tell but Sun Steel told him he could tell where he got it. However Alessio did not say the same, on the contrary he asked if they had those leather bracelets and if they could return them to him and with him surprised by him. Shining Armor embarrassedly said that he first had them in his possession but then they mysteriously vanished, as if someone had taken them away. And both generals, Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword if they couldn't explain how it happened, their expressions were as if they were hoping that Alessio could reveal something to them.

Alessio had a presentiment that Medal of Valor had somehow managed to recover them, once he discovered that he had borrowed them, let's say on loan with a note that he would have returned them to him.

Princess Cadence continued to ask Alessio questions about her mother. who could not respond to most of them, he informed Cadence and Princess Amore confirmed that Umbra had a pupil, like Celestia and Twilight's mentor. Then, Alessio said that the only one that only Umbra herself would answer your questions. And all did not have to wait long.

The shouts and arguments had been so loud that the Queen Umbra finally woke up. she let out a faint moan as she slowly opened her eyes her irises were always scarlet as she slowly got out of bed.

"Wh-what? Where ... am I?". she said hoarsely as she blinked and rubbed her tired eyes.

All the ponies stopped and turned their attention to the fully awake former queen. Princess Cadence had a lump in her throat as she stared wordlessly at her birth mother. There was dead silence. But the expression on the face of the princess of love goes from anger to sadness, to hatred, to desire, to disgust, to love.

Princess Amore walked over to Queen Umbra and told her with a smile, that it had been some time since they last saw each other. A shocked and surprised expression spread across the former queen's face. Princess Amore advance her by telling her that she if she was free from transformation since she was a dark crystal statue from the magic of Umbra. she however she harbored no grudge and that she was happy to see her again and that she was not the only one who wanted to meet her. While Princess Amore said it as all the ponies motioned to Princess Cadence to come forward and go to Queen Umbra.

Alessio remained to observe the scene like everyone present, while Princess Cadence approached her mother. All the ponies present moved, however they blocked Alessio's view, who had to lean out of bed and gently push Spike away to be able to look too. He smiled when he saw Cadence in front of Umbra and explains where she was and that she was her daughter. Umbra and Cadence stare into each other for what seemed like forever, they both looked at each other's pendant which were identical, then, Umbra closed her eyes and hummed a tune with her mouth shut.

Princess Cadence widens her eyes as she stares at her mother. "This ... I remember it," she said.

Umbra opened her eyes and stared at her. "I always hummed it to my daughter. To you. My little Cadenza. While I was rocking you to make you fall asleep." she said.

Umbra and Cadence lock into each other for what seemed like forever. Tears fell on their faces as Umbra reached out as best she could to hug tight her daughter. Cadence fell to her knees as she hugged her mother for the first time in her life.
Various cheers of happiness and echoed around the room. Alessio smiled happy for having reunited a mother and daughter of her, then, he leaned on the pillow.

Ten minutes later Cadence and Umbra held each other after so long waiting. And having then received a favorable response from the doctors for Alessio to leave the hospital. He and everyone went out and went into the throne room. Once inside. Umbra uses her magic on the windows of the palace and, exactly like the stained glass of the castle of Canterlot, where each of them has imagined a historical event that happened in Equestria. Umbra used the stained glass windows in her palace to explain each event to everyone present.

And she began to explain; before her the fall of Grogar and the death of her beloved husband Crystal Spectrum Prism, then the realization of the Crystal Heart and the Dagger of Light that was hidden by her magic the reason for her corruption. and finally she explained the reason for her corruption of her.

Umbra explained that before her husband Crystal Spectrum Prism went to the battlefield, he had given her a reason to live if he didn't return. he had given her a foal. About her She was very surprised when the doctors told her that she was pregnant with an alicorn foal. She was like she was blessed. However, being Umbra a mortal, she was not suited to give birth to an Alicorn foal. And the doctors told her that she and the foal will die within a few months. Fearing for her foal for this she had not informed her best friend Princess Amore about her of the good news of her pregnancy, then came the sad news that Crystal Spectrum Prism had died in battle and Umbra was really desperate.
Then it seemed that someone had listened to her. Because she was visited by a couple of weird beings one night, dracoequus. Who defined themselves as Discord and Eris.

Umbra's explanation was interrupted by the expression of anger and rancor on the faces of the mane six. They explained and did not speak fondly of one of their Discord and seemed surprised about Eris, muttering something that Discord had not been able to free her or something similar. Then after Twilight and her friends apologized, they let Umbra continue her explanation.
Queen Umbra explained that these Discord and Eris, as they introduced themselves, said they would help save Umbra's colt, however there would be a small price to pay. That price was; the servitude for Grogar herself.
Seeing that there was no other way she did the one thing she still fears today. She accept the deal.

Umbra recounts and she had to clench her hands into fists so as not to show everyone that they were trembling about how her life had become hell as her crystalline form and her sanity were slowly disappearing every day for the past few months. her greatest fear was that the darkness that was slowly corrupting her might affect Cadenza, so she cast a spell of protection around her to keep her safe.
But as the days and months went by, each protection spell she used became more and more difficult to use as dark magic began to seep into her soul and her heart. her sanity was disappearing to the point of stealing the Crystal Heart and hiding it and, defeating Princess Amore and turning her into a black crystal statue, but with clarity returned she hid the Princess Amore statue in the same place where she had hidden the Crystal Heart .

Umbra explained that Cadence's birth was the best day of her life, and that Grogar's corrupted magic was worth enduring for so long. And she knew what to do, even though it was the hardest decision, but also the right thing to do. it took her months to plan while she took care of Cadence. So she had used the last bit of sanity left, she cast another spell somewhere where she would be safe. She knew where to send her and that she would be safe, but she didn't know when she had placed the basket when the portal closed. At the end of the same day she was lost and had become the tyrant of the Crystal Empire and the rest is what happened next.

Everyone present gasped as they stared at Umbra surprised at all she had done just to save her foal. also make the proverbial pact with the devil. But she had done it only for her daughter. No matter what the cost is. Even when her mind had faded into darkness, she still loved her foal more than the crystals herself. not even all the money in the world can't buy a mother's love for her foal.

Umbra finishes telling her story and bursts into tears. "I know I made the biggest mistake of all. That pact cost me my kingdom, my life and almost my colt too. It was clear that Grogar's dark magic would try to infect Cadenza as well and not. I would have allowed, that's why I used protection spells for the duration and the difficulty of the birth. I would be willing to pay dearly for the darkness but not my foal cadence" she said falling to her knees sobbing with both hands on her face.

Princess Cadence frowned as she watched her mother burst into tears for not holding back from Grogar's magic. she understood that Discord and Eris induced her to do so, taking advantage of her moment of weakness and desperation to not lose her foal and she knew that she was not her fault for what happened to the Empire and the inhabitants of her. It was the darkness within her that made her do the things she did with her. the darkness that turns a ruler loved by her subjects into a tyrant. and now that she was free, her mother was devoured by her guilt.

Cadence walked over to her mother and fell to her knees in front of him; she stretched out her hands and hugged her mother tightly, comforting her. "It wasn't your mother's fault. The darkness had corrupted you and I'm sure the Crystal Empire will forgive you too and accept that you reign over the empire. As one person said and as he has heard from some inhabitants of the Crystal Empire. You can still be the ruler everyone loved." she told her hugging her tightly.

Alessio and his mares friends and the two generals Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword watched Princess Cadence hug her mother. Then both generals nodded and turned to Umbra.

"The princesses have been wondering for a long time why you suddenly became evil Queen Umbra. We know how a bastard Grogar is and with all our hearts, we are sure that your subjects will forgive her if she forgives herself. Your actions have been. caused by the darkness of dark magic not her" Obsidian Sword said.

Sun Steel nodded slowly "The good news is that the Crystal Empire has returned to Equestria with their rulers; beloved Queen and Princess Amore". he said she.

Alessio smiled to see Umbra's morale pick up a bit, also thanks to the words spoken by General Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword and by Princess Amore who told her that her student Radiant Hope couldn't wait to see her again. Umbra was speechless and said that she was looking forward to seeing Radiant Hope again, before leaving the queen she turned to those present and told them that she would see them later to pay them official thanks.

Alessio smiled to see Umbra's morale pick up a bit thanks also to the words spoken by General Sun Steel and Ossidiana Sword and finally by Princess Amore who told her that her student Radiant Hope would be very happy to see her again.

Umbra's eyes widened as he heard the name of her pupil again and nodded. Then, turn to Alessio, Twilight and her friends. "I didn't do it before. But she thanked you all, for saving the Crystal Empire, me and Princess Amore. Later I would like to see you all to reward you for your courage," she said with a small bow of gratitude.

Twilight and her friends nodded with a smile, Rarity giggled silly saying that she was delighted already to have a crystalline form like the crystal ponies. arousing the hilarity of all present.

Alessio chuckled before suddenly falling silent. He hadn't received any news of how those two stallions were doing: Brilliant Ingenuity and Night Shield. He remember seeing Brilliant thrown into a house and Night shield wounded, he turned to look at those present. "Wait a minute. Where are the guys? How are they?"

Sun Steel smiled and said. "Oh, don't worry. They are fine. Before I came to see if you woke up. I went to see them in their rooms. Brilliant had a broken arm and two ribs. he will have to keep his arm around his neck with a brace for a few weeks, but his ribs have healed perfectly. While Night Shield had a few cuts that needed stitches and something strong to drink"

Alessio felt reassured and thought of while he was going for a walk around the castle alone, he would go to visit them. so he greet those present, telling them that they would see each other later and they walk away slightly limping towards the door.
A moment later, Twilight and her friends also left and went to the city of the Crystal Empire. Sun Steel instead went out and walked to where her room was. The pegasus general hesitated to look at Obsidian Sword before shaking his head and continuing to walk. While the general batpony glanced at him and moments later, she followed at a distance.

* Somewhere else in the castle *

Brilliant Ingenuity was walking down the hall with Night Shield, when the latter had told him that their human friend had awakened he was relieved by the news. It is ten minutes earlier, they both should have reached the throne room when they were warned by a maids that the others would be waiting there. But Brilliant soon realized and as he noticed from the puzzled and confused expression of the bat pony, they were both lost. The castle was like a labyrinth to them when they finally managed to find some maids on duty.

The mares had been summarized as other palace workers, soon after the Crystal Empire had returned to its former glory.
Night Shield and Brilliant Ingenuity were happy to find some ponies who need to know where they are, then politely asked the waitresses where to go and volunteered to show them where to go and motioned them to follow.

However as they followed the waitresses, Brilliant Ingenuity frowned and felt that something was wrong, it seemed they were not taking the right path, as well as noticing that the mares looked restless for some reason. If the unicorn had told the bat pony friend, he would have known that Night Shield was thinking the same way, they both noticed further how restless the mares were and as the mares' clothes looked a bit skimpy, the agitation and the blush on the faces of the two stallions made his body tremble a little.
The crystal maids giggled a little, some turned to look at them over their shoulder and winked at him as they led the two stallions through some corridors and into some rooms.
The maids after convincing the two stallions to enter the room, 4 other maids who were watching them appeared from the shadows and entered the room.
Night Shield and Brilliant Ingenuity gasped when they heard the sound of the locked door was enough to enchant their fate.
"Uh oh... jeez ... I should have known ..." the bat pony murmured dullly. feeling ashamed and embarrassed and praying his drill sergeant would not find out. keep his senses alert to prevent the feeling of danger and now he finds himself in big trouble.

"We are two friend. It seemed too strange to me the long way it took to go to the throne room" he replied in a tone to comfort his friend.

"I wonder how many mares there are behind us. But I don't want to turn around to find out." he said he stammering Night shield spreading his wings and flapping them in frustration.

In response they had the sound of horses giggling and clothes opening and hitting the floor with a soft rustle.
Brilliant Ingenuity raised a finger to make the universal nod to him; 'just give me a minute please' and slowly turns to the door. NIght Shield had to admit that his friend had courage. He heard her gasp and glanced at him. she saw him with a slight blush on his face and heard him whisper. "Six".

Night Shield swallowed and turned and spread his wings so fast that he almost staggered his friend hitting him with one of his wings as they both stared at the six completely naked, beautiful crystal mares, all with a seductive smile on their faces. Some mares have started making out with each other while some start sucking their lips, some even start fingering to each other but not too much so as not to get too hot, or play each other with their breasts for tease sensually their

Brilliant ingenuity swallowed loudly, then sighed and whispered in a low tone to his friend. "So three for me and three for you. Eventually we could go back to a hospital bed again" and she smiled at him.
Night Shield nodded slowly and gave him a shocked expression, but he didn't reply, but the mares headed towards them. one of the mares kissed Brilliant and took his time to fight with his tongue, while the rest of the mares pushed him onto the sofa at the back.

While Brilliant kisses the Franchise with the mares, two of the maids have begun their assault on Night Shield, starting to remove his clothes from him. They tried to be careful because of their injuries, but their heat drove them insane. After they had disappeared for a thousand years, all of their heat washed over them in one great flash. Feeling their heat burning hotter inside, they couldn't control themselves as they tore off his clothes and began their attack on their members. Soon Brilliant was also stormed on the bed and the mares were eager to have the first round with him.

*Meanwhile guest wing in the castle *

Sun Steel crossed the corridor when he noticed six beautiful maids coming up to him and stopped and asked him if he needed help. The high general pegasus however noticed how the maid's clothes of those mares looked a bit skimpy and that they emitted seductive giggles and winks, already he had the impression of what those mares had in mind. But before that he told them that he didn't need help.

Obsidian Sword took Sun Steel by the arm and wrapped her wing over his. an unmistakable signal between pegasus that they were related to her and to make the waitresses understand that they had to literally get out of her feet, she was giving their the same fierce grim look that she reserved for enemies when she was in battle.

The maids swallowed loudly and walked away quickly, wishing them both a good day. Obsidian Sword kept her expression cold on hers, before slowly calming down as she saw them turn the corner and turned to look at Sun Steel who gave her a surprised look.

Sun Steel frowned as he gently released his arm from her grip, "I don't know whether to thank you or ask why are you doing here Obsidian?" he asked her.

Obsidian Sword look at him for a few moments, before leaning against the wall crossing her arms over her chest. "What's troubling you Steel?". he asked her.

Sun Steel stiffened and glanced at her. "I really don't know what you're talking about." he told her in a tone that betrayed his perplexity.

Obsidian Sword sighed and ran a hand over her mane, smoothing it behind her ears. "Steel. I've known you for so long and I know how to recognize when something disturbs you and I have noticed that for almost a month you have been looking at me and seem troubled by something. Do you want to talk about it?" she asked him.

The pegasus general looked at her before sighing and gave her a tight smile. "Obsidian I just can't hide anything from you eh". he said before turning and inserting the key into the lock and snapping it, he opened the door.

"To tell the truth, I really wanted to talk to you. But I wanted to do it later. But since you're already here." he replied.
Obsidian Sowrd moved away from the wall and after receiving a sign from her comrade in arms to sit down, she entered. she turned to look at Sun Steel as he entered the room and closed the door behind him and pointed to the loveseat of the luxurious guest bedroom.

Once they both took their seats. Sun Steel sighed and looked at her, hesitantly touched the pouch he was holding on his belt, before looking at Obsidian.

"One thousand three hundred years ago. After I lost my wife and daughters in that tragedy. With the end of the Great War in Sleipnir and against Grogar. It is that we withdrew from the Royal Sun Guard Army. I was devastated by both post-war trauma stress syndrome and for the consequences of the Great War ..." he said running a hand over his mane, sighed.

"However, you have always been by my side, we worked together in your restaurant and you gave me a hand at my farm. In short, Obsidian, over the years I have often wondered if I would have had the courage to try. To rebuild a new life and day before Princess Celestia asked us if we wanted to get back into action for one last mission and as a favor to her. I had already made my decision." he continued standing up.

Then, Sun Steel kneels in front of Obsidian Sword. he took the marble box out of the bag and held it out in front of her, snapped the hidden zipper and opened it, detecting the red satin fabric and over it a gold ring with an opal stone.
Obsidian Sword spread her wings and eyes wide in amazement, remaining with an open jaw. "Sun Steel ..." she said gasp.

Sun Steel rolled his eyes and looked at her. "Obsidian Sword .. will you marry me?".

In response Obsidian Sword threw herself at him, tackling him to the ground, flapping her wings frantically in excitement. "Yes !. YES !. YES !. Yes! YES !. YES! I really want it!". She exclaimed before kissing him passionately.

Sun Steel's eyes widened and kissed back, when their lips parted, Obsidian looked at him. "We were always together on the battlefield. I was your shoulder to cry on that disastrous day. And yes. I want to make a life, together with you as your wife" she said purring.
Sun Steel smiled as he put his hands on her small, curved hips, the bat pony winked at him. and she told him. "If we want to do it. Better make it comfortable on a bed than on the floor." she said standing up and as she made hers way to the bed, swaying sensually, she began to undo the armor parts and let them fall to the floor, before sitting on the bed only in tank top that adhered tightly to her breasts cup D and underwear, she motioned him with a finger to come closer.
Sun Steel winked as he stood up and undid his armor and dropped them to the floor, crawled on her batpony kissing her passionately.

Obsidian Sword snaked her hands to his chest, grin and pushed him away and laid him on the bed, and climbed on top of him with a lusty grin. rubbing her round buttocks against his rock hard erection. she lifts up on her heels, aligning his member against her wet femininity, while Sun Steel grabs her by her firm buttocks. and Obsidian lowered herself hard on his cock, moans loudly from the sudden penetration and a few seconds later he gave him a lustful, panting and defiant smile.
A challenge that Sun Steel is very happy to accept.

While Alessio was walking around the castle alone, he was surprised to hear Spike's voice coming from a nearby room, so intrigued he walked over and stopped at the door and took a look.
He saw Spike lying on a sofa and it looked like he was having a good time. As several maids start treating him like a king. The scene that Alessio had in front of him seemed to him those scenes of some films in which the king is fed by several beautiful mares, but instead of feeding him fruit with their mouths, they did it by feeding him with gems held between their lips, while another mare behind Spike massaged his shoulders.

Alessio smiled proudly to see that Spike declined kisses but he liked being fed some tasty buds.

Not wanting to disturb his best friend and leave him to feed on buds. Without being noticed by anyone, Alessio passed by and continued walking in the corridor, he stopped for a moment when he hear Spike wince and the mares giggling. Alessio shrugged and went on and through other corridors.

Alessio went up a few steps and realized he had arrived at the guest room hall. he stopped at the first door of the corridor door and opened it slowly enough to take a brief look inside, he saw some ornate beds and some other crystal furniture inside. He closed the door and went back to the stairs, where he find the planimetry near the corridor hanging in the corner, further confirming this.

When he glimpsed a thread of light from the lower part of a half-open door from the other corridor to the right of the stairs, in the distance in the half-light, but as he returned to the stairs, he paused as he heard the familiar sound of moans and slaps of the one against the other it echoed and seemed to come right from the room, however much it echoed and could hear the names being uttered between the moans; that of Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword.

Alessio ignored the urge to peek inside and started down the stairs and retraced his steps. He smiled looking up and looking at the door, he shook his head "Everyone needs relief and who knows something was telling me that there was something between those two". he murmured as he went down the stairs.

At the end of the stairs Alessio rubs his chest and ribs with one hand. Even though he was healed thanks to the magical treatment from the crystal doctors, but he knew he didn't have to overdo it, his body was still all sore. Before going for a tour of the castle, he had told Twilight and his mares-friends and his friends, that he would go back to rest in his room and so he wisely decided to do.

Retracing his steps, Alessio returned to the medical wing of the castle, but stopped when he saw Princess Cadence's mother, Queen Umbra stopped in front of the door and smiled when she saw him.

"Oh there you are. I've been waiting for you," she said in a velvety voice.

"Oh Queen Umbra." Alessio greeted her as he bowed his head in a respectful nod, "It's good to see you. So, what brings you here?" he asked.

"I wanted to ask you the pleasure of keeping me company and having a drink together?". Umbra told him.

Alessio smiled faintly, nodded. "With pleasure Queen Umbra, I accept your invitation". he said.

"Follow me. Better to leave the medical room for those who need it most and then, the doctors would give a lecture if someone brought alcohol inside," Umbra said, gesturing for him to follow her and walked into the nearby corridor. Alessio nodded and followed her.
as Alessio followed her, he kept his gaze on Umbra as she walked through the various corridors, her hips swaying slowly from side to side with each step, she wore the same royal clothes that made it seem that she was wearing armor and fitted perfectly to her body. they walked down several stairways and corridors until as Alessio realized they had arrived at the queen's royal chambers.

Once inside. Alessio was surprised at the large size of the room, with two large bookcases full of books and tomes, a four-poster bed with very thin crimson curtains, with a two-seater sofa in front of it, and even a bubbling thermal spring in the adjacent room. with lots of soft artificial lights that gave a particular atmosphere to the room.

Queen Umbra horn came to life with magic she locks the door, before approaching a large circular table of brown oak in the center of the room, her hips swaying slowly with each step. she turns to look at Alessio and points to sofa in front of the bed.

"Please. Sit down." she said.

Alessio hesitated a second, before heading to the sofa and sat down while Umbra lit the horn by making a dark glass bottle and crystal wine glasses levitate from the surface of the table with her magic, while she approached him. her hips swayed slow from side to side with each step and she sat next to him.

"I haven't had a drink with friends more often. Before my change" her expression and smile faded into a sad frown, "I was having a drink with my dear best friend Princess Amore" she murmured with a sigh. While she with magic pouring some wine into both glasses, and she handed it to him. "But now thanks to you, I can do it again."

Alessio took the glass from the stem of the goblet, without taking his eyes off the queen's scarlet eyes, "No need to thank me Queen Umbra". he told her.

Umbra, however, touches his lips, silencing him. "Please. Call me Umbra. I have decided to retire and my daughter will be the new housekeeper with her husband" she smiled.
Alessio was surprised, "But will you stay here again in the Crystal Empire?".

Umbra smiled and nods, as she slowly rotated the wine holding the stem of the glass, raised the glass and gently placed the edge against her lower lip, smelled the fruity fragrance of the wine for a moment with her eyes closed, tilted her head and glass and sipped the wine, opened her scarlet eyes and looked at the human. "Yes, I will help my daughter show how to take care of her ponies and the whole town. also Princess Amore will give her a hand like me. But I'm sure the Crystal Empire will be in very good hands."

"I thought you would return to reign as yours by right. The crystal ponies would have their beloved queen again" Alessio said as he took a sip of wine, he was not the type to drink, only on rare occasions but he could savor the flavor fruity and decisive of the wine on his taste buds.

Umbra leaned back on the sofa and looked him in the eyes. "I thought about it. At first to prove to my crystal ponies that their queen was back. But then, I realized it was more right to entrust my people to my daughter and let her rule." she said as she moved closer to him.

Alessio nodded understandingly, the memory that Umbra had enslaved her subjects to force them to work in the mines to extract her crystals, for her it was like an open wound and difficult to heal. Umbra had thought that her people deserved another as ruler instead of her.

"I think your people will understand you Umbra. Now that you've retired. What are you going to do? Besides helping your daughter?" Alessio asked after taking a small sip of wine.

The Queen Umbra smiled winking, "Excuse me a minute, I'm going to put on something more comfortable than this suit with pieces of armor and then, we'll keep talking." she whispered in his ear, as she stood up, her fingers on his right hand lightly touched his shoulder at the junction of his neck, she was bent slightly forward, her large breasts, covered tight with a layer of fabric and metal, pressed against Alessio's bandaged chest. Alessio shivered at the touch of her fingers and the metal of her dress against the bandages on his chest, but he nodded.

Umbra smiled as she made her way to a folding divider wood panel near the bed and disappeared behind it, levitating the empty goblet of wine on the nightstand.

Alessio followed her with his eyes, then moved his gaze to the contents of his glass and took a long sip of wine, before getting up and placing the glass on the circular table and returning to sit on the sofa. he gritted his teeth as he immediately tensed because the pains assailed him from all sides, albeit earlier when Umbra had placed her generous torso against his chest, the pain from his ribs had assailed him, but Alessio had managed to keep it hidden. he relaxed and the pain subsided.

Alessio reflected on the situation of Umbra, what he had done had happened as with Chrysalis and with Azure, both the queen as the two changelings had been corrupted not by their choice and now they were free from their nefarious transformation, he was sure that Umbra would also be recovered with the help of her loved ones from that experience.

"Forgive the wait," said Umbrian's velvety voice. Alessio turned his gaze on her and found himself blushing.

Umbra was leaning against the divider, wearing a translucent black corset, where her G-cup breasts were prominently displayed by her generous cleavage and a matching thong, thin black stockings with a purple gem. she had even tied her mane in a high bun, leaving only a few long locks that reached behind her. she with a beautiful athletic but slender hourglass figure, long, toned and feminine legs and curved hips.

Alessio stared at the fascinating beauty of the former queen of the Crystal Empire and, mother of Cadence, and surely he thought convinced that Princess Cadence had inherited the same beauty from her, he blushed, before returning to lucidity, fearing he had stared at her too much as if had been a stupid pervert. "You are ... beautiful Umbra." he said with a genuine smile, keeping his eyes on her face and not too much on her sensual body. the very sight of her made Alessio a little horny.

Umbra gave a seductive giggle and then pushed away from the partition and walked over to him. Hips hypnotically swaying from left to right. "And you are sweet," she said smiled seductively and stops in front of him, one hand on her hip and the other under her breast, "I see you like the view." she added continuing to smile, seeing Alessio blushing more.

Then, Umbra crosses her arms underneath and lifts her breasts enough while pressing them together with her arms, to make the vision slack without seeming too explicit. "As I was saying before. Since my daughter will rule the Crystal Empire, she will give me more time for myself. Especially the time to give the hero an adequate gift to free me from Grogar's dark magic." she said in a voice hoarse with desire, gently licking her lips.

Alessio saw himself reflected in the mirror of the cabinet. he wore over his jeans, the white gauze across his chest. his head was wrapped in bandages like a shoulder and his wounded side. Slightly pale, he looked like a human wreck that any woman or mare would think twice about before doing what it would go to between him and Umbra.
"I don't really look like a hero now," he murmured.

She giggle soft, "Aw, you look beautiful to me," Umbra said softly, she smiled as her horn came to life and lifted Alessio into the air for a few seconds before she carefully tossed it onto the bed. his clothes disappeared a second later from Umbra's magic.

Alessio cautiously sat up while Umbra begins to undress. She magically undid her translucent corset and let it slide off her slim athletic body, her big breasts with ash-colored nipples softly jolted once from being free from their cloth prison.
Then, with a predatory grin, Umbra leaned forward and began to crawl like a cat towards him, her tits swaying and flattening in contact with his legs, then, with his thin waist and finally with Alessio's chest.

Umbra slowly licked her lips as she watched him observe her body. she felt proud that she still had her beautiful body turned into a shadow after a thousand years and was glad that Grogar's magic had done nothing but change her horn and deprive her of the crystallized form of her fur. she presses her body cautiously against Alessio's, her breasts flattened against his chest like her pillows slowly rubbing and smiled as she felt something hard pressing against her legs.

Umbra sat cautiously astride and wrapped her arms around Alessio's neck as looks him in the eye. "Please ... my daughter won't have to know and it's been so long since I've been stuffed, since my husband died and well ... .. I can tell the fight you're a healthy stallion and I want it to be right for hurting you and your friends. There is no other way to thank you, Alessio seems to me the least" she said waiting for an answer, in her eyes there was a spark of desire, too much time had passed and her did not feel the company of a stallion, she had certainly had a trusted person to help alleviate the heartburn and desires but now she wanted to give this particular stallion just the right reward.

“So please, as compensation. Take me up to your heart's desire". She said she waited for an answer.

Alessio reflects on the question, although he was quite excited, he looked Umbra in her eyes and smiled, nodding. "No need to thank me or take compensation. I just want it to be your choice if you really want to" he said.

The Umbra gasped, sincerely struck by the words said by Alessio, before smiling and nodded softly, purring full of desire, "Of course I want". she said. she grabbed his member with a soft and firm grip and Alessio had to clench his jaw and lips to keep from moaning.

She moved her hand and began to pump slightly in an up and down motion on his member, gave Alessio a smirk, before tenderly dragging his tongue along the length of the manhood to the tip, rotating it in small circles over it before sliding it into her jaws, he sucked the tip and curls her tongue over it and moves it, while sliding her mouth over the throbbing manhood.

Biting his lip in an attempt to silence the moan that escaped him, Alessio began to gasp as Umbra's head moved her head up and down on his cock, with a rhythm varying from slow to fast and rough, rotating her tongue around his cock. circumference of his member or against it.
The former Queen of the Crystal Empire went on for a few but long minutes, her beautiful scarlet eyes fixed on Alessio's gaze, who panting and holding back his moans, he grabbed the silk fabric of the sheets.

Umbra raised her head, freeing Alessio's member from her jaws, dragging her tongue along the entire length of his cock and over the tip, making small growing circles up to the entire tip and tenderly sucked it, and then tenderly ran her tongue over the tip. sides of the cock, and take it again in the mouth and sway her head, continuing to give Alessio a sensual smile, which returned his smile as he blushed more with ardent desire.

Then, Umbra purring, slowly crawls towards Alessio, while her beautiful breasts rubbed on his manhood. Alessio instinctively arched his back with a soft moan, a sly smile appeared on the ex queen's beautiful face, so she continues her pleasure on his member, wrapping more her beautiful breasts on his hard throb member and begins to sway and rub them against on the length of his manhood, the tip of which was sticking out between her soft firm big tits. to increase the mutual pleasure, while she squeezes and rubs her breasts up and down on his manhood, she tenderly licked the tip and the length that protruded between her breasts.

Alessio was panting and moaning, feeling an indescribable sensation on his member, from the softness of Umbra's fur and how her big round firm tits seemed to fit against his member. "Woah .. Damn .. for a mare ... that has been gone for ... a thousand years .. she still has your skills." he said through panting, moaning through gritted teeth.

Umbra giggles a little happy to know that she still had the skills to satisfy a stud, after giving another tender lick on the tip she takes most of his manhood in her mouth, continuing to move her tongue around the throbbing manhood, moving her head up and down, even managing to get almost completely into hers throat. In her while she speeds up her massages and rubs her tits on his cock.

Alessio groaned through clenched teeth, already starting to feel the pressure that began to build in his loins, he tried to resist a little longer. As Umbra swayed her head over on his throbbing manhood, her mane melted, but she didn't seem to notice or didn't care too much, but it was still a beautiful sight for Alessio. Lustly groans and panting echoed around the room from both of them.

Alessio bit his lip even though he had managed to endure a few more minutes of Umbra's intense preliminaries, but now he's not there, he could resist longer. "I ... I can't resist .. Umbra ... I'm coming!".

Umbra must have anticipated it or immediately when he told her; she wasted no time; she presses her breasts together against his member and swallowed his manhood all the way to her base at once, while Alessio released his semen into her mouth. Umbra drank every drop of the creamy load while she milked the cock not to miss a few drops, before releasing his member from her mouth, she gasped and gave a winking smile to Alessio while she licked her lips.

Alessio looked genuinely amazed at how Umbra had managed to bring all his member to the bottom without problems. he honestly knew from experience that his mares-friends could never take it all at once and only a few mares can take as many as possible in their mouths.

Umbra smiled before tenderly licking the member and slipped it into her mouth, swaying her head with a slow rhythm up and down, moving her tongue making sure not to miss a few drops, keeping her head down for a few seconds, she lifts her head and licks her lips, then looked him straight in the eye and bends down for a kiss.

Alessio sat up, grabbed her face and kissed her deeply with Umbra who began to engage in a tongue battle with him. without breaking the kiss Alessio rolls her on her back on the bed and ran his hands over her shoulders, her back, her breasts massaging it gently but firmly with rotating movements, slowly descending towards the slim and fit abdomen, up to her marehood wet.

Umbra shivers at his touch and spreads her legs and looking him in the eye, whispering in his ear to take her now. mentally Umbra wanted this human to take her now and slam his manhood inside her and fill her with stallion semen. Her realized how much she longed to feel a stallion inside her after so long.

As much as Alessio wanted to please her immediately, he wanted to return the favor and also make her suffer a little before taking her. he gave her a kiss on the lips and told her to trust him, then lowered himself towards her legs and began to lick the outer folds of her marehood, while with one hand he massaged her breasts, with the other he rubbed the inner folds and external of her womanhood.

Umbra let out a hoarse loud moan, arching her back, astonished at her, not even her dead husband had had the courage to return her favor. Except when she was alone with her best friend Princess Amore, but she never would have said that a stallion would please a mare like that. she shivered biting her lower lip, she reached out and grabbed firm Alessio's head and hair, and he licked her inner folds and clitoris as moved a couple of fingers inside her mare hood in response, letting her escape another loud moan and panting quickly.

Alessio continued to lick her internal and external folds and concentrating either with his lips, with his tongue or with a finger, rubbing her clitoris and causing Umbra to emit loud moans and whines of excitement, while it tasted vaguely and strange to say, like the fruity of its juices. He rubbing his hands on her hips, above the cutie mark which was a crystal formation resembling a heart. Alessio heard her whimper again and decided it was time to take her as she wanted. Then, he got up and crawled to her face.

Umbra stared into his eyes and lifted herself up enough, so that Alessio kissed her deeply, while he aligned his manhood with her ready marehood. Moaned weakly in the kiss and from his touch, she broke the kiss and told him: "Take me now"

Alessio did not have him repeat it pervaded by a burning fire inside himself, he firmly grabbed her by the hips, lining his member to her soaking femininity and quickly slamming into her lap. Umbra gasps at the sudden penetration of her, but let out a satisfied moan, but moans quickly when Alessio starts her, a few moments later he started hammering inside her, picking up a good rhythm soon after.

Alessio continued to push in-out of her deeply hard and fast, holding her firmly by the hips. Umbra moans wildly and passionately arching her back her beautiful breasts bouncing vigorously with each thrust, she pulls her head back as she firmly grasps the sheets and crosses her legs behind the human's back as he continues to hammer inside her.

Alessio went on for a few minutes, before grabbing them and lifted her right leg and placed it on his shoulder, increasing the speed of the thrusts, while Umbra panted harder, moaning louder with each push he gave her.
A few more minutes of pushing went by, before Alessio moved her leg from his shoulder, without stopping to deep push and grabbed her by the back and pulled her up cautiously to sit up and continued to hammer inside her until he felt the pressure increase in his back. own loins and released all his load of semen into her womb.

Alessio and Umbra exchanged a look and the mischievous smile on both of their faces was an unequivocal sign that both were not yet satisfied enough. So Alessio made her lie downon her back, grabs them under her legs and lifts them while he lies down on top of her, continuing to pushing harder and faster into her femininity.
The echo of the wet slaps of skin to fur and both of their loud moans echoed in the room, Umbra arches her back and grabs his shoulders as she moans and screams wildly in pleasure with her rebuff getting more and more hoarse and quick.
"Yes !. Yes! fuck me Harder!. Keep it up!" she moans loud.

Alessio groaned and moaned through clenched teeth, he felt his pelvis cushioned against her soft ass and his virility hammering her wet marehood and her vaginal walls tightening his cock like a vice. He went on for a few more minutes then, without stopping to push roughly and quickly, he rolled her onto her side and lifted her outstretched leg and placed it on her shoulder, continuing like this for a few more minutes, before tipping her over on all fours.

Umbra gasped as she was placed on her hands and knees, but she continued to moan passionately arching her back as she pushed back to meet his thrusts, while Alessio continued to fuck her roughly, he pulled her to him making her stand straight so that her back was against his chest and massaged both her breasts with both hands, Umbra arches her head back moaning, who turned to meet Alessio's face and they exchanged quick kisses, other times deep and moaning in their kiss.
Then, Umbra leaned on the headboard arched her back moaning loudly as she pushed backwards, while Alessio grabbed her firm and soft buttocks and increased to slam her in with his deep and fast thrusts, while she beats her ass against his pelvis.

Umbra arches her head back as her quick, hoarse breathing didn't betray that she felt like she was in heaven, her body had never felt so long after her husband's death. All that repressed stress and desire all vanished. in a flash as she finally let go, she let out a loud moan as she released her orgasm. Alessio was panting as he continued to hammer her inside her when with a strong and deep thrust he released another load inside her, in sync with her orgasm.

Both panted as if they had been out of breath, Alessio pulled back his member still hard and lubricated by both their fluids, looked up and saw Umbra who gave him a defiant look, swaying his hips slowly as if to provoke him again for another round. Alessio was surprised that he smiled at her slyly and an idea came to him and he hope she would like what he now had in mind for her. He lines his still rock hard member not on her marehood dripping with both of their fluids, but on her ass hole.

"What are you doing?" she asks.

But Alessio didn't answer her but instead gave her a reassuring smile as he rubbed his manhood on her dripping mare to further lubricate it, then, he places his cock back on her asshole, gently grabbing her hips and thrusting her into her ass. Umbra yelped and hoarse scream, but she moaned within seconds until he started pounding her at a moderate pace inside her to get her used to, as he moaned from feeling, how tight he was until he was deep inside her.

"You should ... Oh ... I feel so good .. you should tell me .. oh gosh .... I feel great ... if you wanted me to" Umbra gasped as she was getting used to, leaning more on the headboard, she purred when he felt his hands caressing her hips and his breath on her shoulder and neck, he waited for her to tell her to continue.

"I wanted you to try something new. Do you want me to continue?" he said.

Umbra in truth, it was something she wanted to try, but her husband would never have the courage to fuck her in the ass, too dirty and immoral as had once said. But one thing she appreciated about the human and that gave her time to get used to, like now. A few minutes after. She with a sweet smile she appears on her lips. "Keep it going." she says with a soft groan.

Once he felt her ass loosen and she told him to continue, Alessio grabs her by the hips and began to push deeply, rough and fast inside her ass, his pelvis hit her firm soft ass with a soft slap. and dry as Umbra moaned loudly as she pushed back to meet his thrusts.

"Ohh ... oh Yeah! Fuck ... I feel so good, Ohh! Harder !. Give me more!" she scream loud to pleasure.

After several more minutes of hard rutting, they were both sweaty and dripping from their bodies, Umbra's moans became harder and harder, as Alessio pushed faster and harder inside her, before he felt the pressure build up in her loins again, it was close, and the same, so it was with Umbra.

"Umbra I won't resist anymore !." Alessio panted as he increased his thrust.

Umbra moans passionately as her eyes roll back with the tongue almost dangling, screaming with pleasure when she takes one last swipe. Alessio emptied her load into her while she came.

They both remained like this for a few seconds, panting, before Alessio pulled his half hard member out of her ass, with their combinations of fluids dripping on their legs and on the sheets. Both are lying on the bed side by side, looking straight into each other's eyes and kissing passionately.

Alessio smiled as he looked at her, her beautiful breasts rose and fell to the rhythm of her heavy breath of happiness, then Umbra propped herself up on her hands and sat up, grabbed his member with one hand and ran her hand along its length and she smiled as she watched him become rock hard again. "are you still full of energy huh?". she said with a grin and lick her lips.

Alessio moaned shivering from her touch and and looked up over Umbra's beautiful breasts, he saw her grin in defiance.

"This time my dear I'm taking the lead-" Umbra chuckled a little, while still breathing heavily, running her hands over her G-cup breasts, pushed him away and made him lie on his back and jumped on astride him, and as she gets up on her heels, she positions herself, aligns her mare dripping with sperm and fluids, on his member. then she wastes no time making her mare fall on her manhood, they both emit a strong gasp and hold it for a few seconds until they both relax enough to continue, even though she Umbra starts her rhythm anyway.

Alessio moans and grunts at his blows but lets her bounce more, he moved his hands from her thighs to her hips and grabs them following his thrusts, as he watched her bounce on him and her beautiful breasts bouncing vigorously with each push he did. Umbra who arched her head back at each bounce looked at him and gave him a seductive and amusing smile, while panting loudly hoarse, then she moved her hands from his chest which she used to leverage up to his hands, brushing them then passed hands on her sinuous body and finally on her breasts pressing them together for his sight.

"Enjoy the show-" she said hoarsely with a grin.

Alessio nodded slowly, while Umbra leans forward and grabs the headboard for leverage and contentedly give him a nice view of her beautiful breasts bouncing more vigorously for her impetuous thrusts. Umbra grinned as she looks him in the eye, removes a hand from the headboard and plays with one of her breasts in front of him for a few seconds, before reaching out, leaning further forward, grabbing him by the nape of the neck, to bring his face close to her breasts.

"Mhh they want attention too. Ohh" she said between groans.

Alessio moved a hand from her side, grabbed her breast and rubbed it, massaging it and giving it a firm but soft squeeze, he lifted himself up and began to lick one breast, while massaging the other, he sucked and nibbled her nipples a couple of times , alternating them, passing from one to the other. Umbra bit hard on her lower lip and she slowed her bounce to ease it for a few seconds, before bouncing more to reward him, propped up at the headboard.

Alessio lay down but massaged both of her breasts, giving a squeeze with each thrust and pressing her nipples between his fingers, making her moan softly and arch her back back and Alessio slipped his hands down towards her hips and grabbed and lifted them. plunger his hips, countering and returning her bounced.

"Yes !. Yes! Fuck me harder! Yes! Give me more!" She screamed loudly with pleasure. Alessio sat up supporting her by the hips and Umbra supported herself on his shoulders and intertwined her legs behind his wraits, both panting looking into each other's eyes, their thrusts were synchronized and always faster and stronger, and to judging by their moans, they were both close to their orgasm.

"Umbra I'm about to come .." he gasped.

"me too" she replied

Alessio tried to resist a little longer and succeeded, Umbra let out a loud scream and released her juices, which covered the his legs and the sheets and a couple of seconds later, with a last push and a hoarse moan, Alessio released his fourth load in her womb, filling it. Umbra gasps deeply as Alessio lies down with her on top of him, gently caressing her back. The former queen of the Crystal Empire smiled soft at him and brings him in a deep passionate kiss.

A few seconds later, completely exhausted Umbra collapses on Alessio's chest making a soft purr rubbing her muzzle against his chest.

Alessio smiled, before making a painful grimace, during the groove he felt the pain coming from his aching body, but he had managed to ignore it completely too concentrated on the intense furrow session with Umbra. He looked up at the ceiling and let out a long sigh. the doctors would have told him all sorts of things if he had tried too hard and if he had torn some points, which fortunately with a touch of his fingers. it was not so. and for an instant he wondered how mares get excited in the most absurd circumstances when you least expect it?. He sigh again with a smile. it was a question best left unanswered.

He looked down at Umbra and gave him one last kiss on her forehead, before closing his eyes, he fell asleep in less than a minute.

*The day after*

Once they woke up, Alessio and Umbra took a bath together and after a few minutes of each other they went to the throne room to meet the others.
Twilight and her friends and the others understandably asked Alessio where he had been. Alessio told them that he was still in pain and that he had gone to gone to sleep in his room, omitting for obvious reasons the part of sleeping with Cadence's mother, as he preferred to live rather than tell the truth and who knows what consequences there would be. , he always kept his promises and had promised Umbra not to reveal anything.

Umbra decided to offer everyone present a good breakfast before leaving to return to Canterlot. Everyone agreed to breakfast and thanked her. However, Umbra told Alessio, Spike and Shining Armor to go back to their rooms before going to the throne room after breakfast.

the aforementioned trio exchanged glances before agreeing to do so and followed the others to breakfast, also meeting General Sun Steel and General Obsidian Sword and Princess Amore. Alessio noticed that Twilight was very depressed and guessed why; the question of her Princess Celestia test. so he approach her mare-friend and put his arm around her shoulders and reassure her by telling her that she will be alright and she was not the only one to tell her, even Shining Armor, but in response Twilight exhaled a long sigh.

After breakfast, Alessio headed to his room, which was his last, a few rooms after Spike's and stopped when he saw a familiar face.

Medal of Valor like all the residents of the Crystal Empire he had recovered his crystalline form, and now he was frowning at him crossing his arms over his chest. Alessio frowned in turn and was sure he expected a severe reprimand from the owner of the antique shop for having 'borrowed' the hidden blades. walked over to him and stopped seven meters away and greeted him.

Alessio's intuition was correct. Medal of Valor was sorry and annoyed that he had decided to borrow something without his permission and told him as he approached him, before giving him a proud smile and hugged him and gave him a friendly pat on the back. Alessio had to suppress a groan, as he was still a little sore from the day before.

"I am proud of you son. You saved the former ruler of the Crystal Empire from Grogar's magic. I was sure you would. And not only did you save and bring back Princess Amore who was deemed missing. And 'that's why I have something to give you. Please come into your room", Valor said with a wide, proud smile, before pointing to the door of the room.

Alessio raised a confused eyebrow, before nodding and entered the room, but first he let Medal or Valor in, who entered and Alessio followed immediately after.

On the table in the room he saw a large white sheet covering something. Alessio stood still in front of the cloth and looked at Medal Valor who, with a smile and a gesture, encouraged him to come forward and look. So Alessio reached out, grabbed and pulled the cloth away. He was stunned to see what was underneath; There in a mannequin bust, was a well-made and well-polished leather dress.

For Alessio it seemed the same dress, the one he had seen in the sanctuary in the antiques shop, however observing it better. he noticed the design and it looked more different than what he had seen. The colors were white and red and the chest straps had Celestia and Luna crests on it.

"This suit was mine as an apprentice, from when the human leader taught me the Path of the Blade ... And I want you to have it. You're not ready for the real one yet," Medal Valor explained,

Alessio nodded as he stared at the leather dress, "Yes I understand Medal Valor. It's just ... are you sure? to Give me this?"

Medal Valor stared at him before walking towards him and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Yes. I'm sure of it," he told him.

Alessio was silent, then glanced at him and nodded, gave another hug to Medal Valor, before approaching the dress, but hesitated for a moment before putting it on.

When Alessio wore the special armor, he had no difficulty in dressing, moreover it was comfortable and did not hinder movements, on the contrary it almost seemed that they had made it to his measure. he lowered his hood, then, walked to the door and went out and headed for the throne room.

He stood by the doors and peered inside. the others were waiting inside for him. he saw Shining Armor and Night Shield wearing handmade gemstone armor and wearing their cutie marks on the front. While Brilliant ingenuity not far from his bat pony friend, he wore armor that sparkled like diamonds in the sun. Spike also wore armor, but unlike the rest, his was made of gems that resemble his breath of fire, and he had to suppress the urge to munch on it because it was made of gems.

On the left side Alessio also saw his mares-friends also wore crystal dresses that symbolize their elements harmony and their likeness. And mentally affirmed that they were beautiful, as always his lovely friends mares.

On the other side he saw Generals Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword in their repaired armor and next to them was the young unicorn he had seen, Umbra's student Radiant Hope and with her was Princess Amore, both in dresses crystal, like the ones that Twilight and her friends wore. While all the ponies waited for Alessio to arrive.

Alessio stepped forward a little closer to the doors and felt a little nervous, if it wasn't because he had been asked to participate, he would have preferred to leave and leave the honors to others who deserved it more, but could not return backards, he took a deep breath and entered the throne room.

General Sun Steel and General Obsidian Sword stood staring at Alessio or his armor, because to them it was somehow familiar, to have seen something similar in the past, however both smiled at the human and greeted him in silence with a nod of the head, to which Alessio replied in the same way.

While Princess Cadence and Umbra, remained from the unique design of the dress that Alessio wore, but smiled as he advanced and knelt to the two sovereigns. Soon after, the others did so too, as Princess Cadence begins to speak for them.

After nearly half an hour of speech, the new ruler of the Crystal Empire, Princess Cadence has appointed everyone present with the title of Knights protectors of Equestria of the Empire of Crystals.

After they were all made knights, a wave of applause erupted from the citizens of the Crystal Empire as Alessio and his mares-friends and their friends walked out of the castle and were transported to the train station, to catch a train back to home.

As they made their way to the train station, Rarity was sad that like her and her friends and ponies present, the crystalline effect like the one that crystal ponies possess had faded, despite her understanding that only the inhabitants of the Crystal Empire possess that form, and that other ponies have a similar but limited-time effect.

Alessio turned to look at the Crystal Empire and smiled to see it in all its splendor, but his smile faded when he looked at Twilight, his mare friends was visibly perplexed and saddened and Alessio sensed that she still centered the question of the Princess Celestia test question.

He walked over to Twilight's right and looked at her and preferred to let Shining Armor continue talking to his sister. Alessio gently took Twilight by her hand and she gave him a look and a semblance of a smile and gently hugged his arm.

"Oh it's going to be okay Twilight. You have to stop saving my butt this way it starts to get embarrassing," Shining Armor told his sister who at first smiled at him but then kept her ears and eyes down and sighed.

"It wasn't me who saved you in the end it was Spike, Cadence and Alessio." Twilight replied in a low tone.

Shining tried to reassure her sister, telling her it was just a test that Princess Celestia will surely make him redo, but he was interrupted by a pat on the back of the head from Princess Cadence's wing and her reproachful look. In addition to the severe and penetrating look that Alessio gave him.
Twilight sighed and headed for the train and walked in, not before telling her brother her that her princess won't give her a new test to do.
Alessio sighed before turning to the new rulers of the Crystal Empire and reassured them that he would help Twilight make her feel better and do whatever he could. Shining and Princess Cadence nodded before hugging him and saying goodbye for the trip.

Immediately after saying goodbye to Shining and Princess Cadence, Alessio got into the train and took his seat, a few minutes later the train left.

"I'm so happy we're going home." thought Alessio as he looked out the window and saw the crystal empire grow farther away.
then, he leaned back against the seat and waits in peace, while all his mares friends start a little party for their successes. Ho would have happened like this if Sun Steel hadn't cleared his throat loudly to get everyone's attention, who turned to look at him and Obsidian Sword.

"I apologize for interrupting what you were about to start, but me and Obsidian Sword, we have an important announcement to make" said Sun Steel, before looking at the bat pony, who she slow stood up and wore a ring on her right ring finger. with an opal stone and grabbing his hands as she hugged him with her wings, they both exchanged glances, nodded and turned to those present. "We will get married". said Obsidian Sword with a smile.

Everyone present widened their eyes before smiling and began to compliment the two generals. Sun Steel rubbed the back of his neck with a smile, while obsidian smiled shyly and blushed.

Alessio looked at the pegasus, "Have you already decided the date of the wedding?". He asked.

Sun Steel slowly shook his head, he said; "We have not decided yet, however we would like to get married in Canterlot and I will ask if Princess Celestia was celebrating the wedding"

"I'm even better off having both princesses perform the ceremony," Obsidian suggested with a soft smile as she gave her future husband a loving and affectionate look, who nodded.

"It's always a possibility". said approved Sun Steel.

Alessio smiled looking at the couple. "Your congratulations to both of you".

That said Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword guaranteed him and the mane six that they would invite them to their wedding. Once the conversation was over and everyone was back in their seats. although Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword have changed carriage. Alessio sat comfortably on the seat and smiled looking at his mares friends who were celebrating their success.

Alessio smiled when he saw Rainbow Dash dancing, fluttering performing looping and beating her fists in mid-air for being knighted.
Looking away from Rainbow Dash, Alessio turned his attention to Rarity and Fluttershy who both sat smiling as they both talked about what they would do when they got home. While Applejack had the biggest smile possible on his face during the trip, she wondered where to start telling her family the story of him and her friends' adventure in the Crystal Empire.

Alessio heard a noise and turned to look over his shoulder and saw, Pinkie bouncing madly in the carriage, with streamers and confetti popping out of her mane as she did a few flips in the carriage.

Alessio smiled before hearing the door open and saw his two stallion friends enter the carriage; Brilliant Ingenuity and Night shield and both were thanking one of the train controllers in the doorway, before they both took their seats and put on the two ice bags for the head and for the horse respectively with a sigh of relief and for a moment Alessio wondered what had happened to both of them but judging by their stupid smile printed on their faces, he preferred not to ask why he already had half an idea.

And finally Alessio moved his gaze to a couple of seats further on where Twilight was, who was still in a low mood, was busy writing a letter to Princess Celestia to inform her of the outcome of the mission and that the Crystal Empire was safe as Spike sat next to her still in armor and helped her send the letters with his breath on fire.

Alessio seeing that everyone is fine, got up from his seat and got out of the carriage, and passing through some successive carriages, he reached the bathroom and entered. After answering the call of nature and changing his clothes and putting the armor back in a briefcase he had taken from the hatbox to keep it before, and in the meantime he adjusted his jacket and retrieved his personal items from the briefcase and put them back in his pockets of the jacket.

But while Alessio took his wallet and was about to put it in the inside pocket, you heard, in addition to something hard inside it, also rattling. "Uh?" He frowned curiously and pulled it out and examined what was inside. He was holding a circular pendant of shiny metal similar to a heart with a beautiful sapphire gem in the center.

"And this?". he said in astonishment as he wondered when Medal Valor or Umbra or who else. They must have slipped it into the pocket and when. staring at the gem, he gently rub my finger on it as he presses the gem lightly and the gem begins to glow in a bright light that was shining in the bathroom. Alessio blinded for a few seconds back and bangs his back against the wall, blinks a few times to chase away the stains from his eyes and rubs his eyelids. "What was that?". he murmured but fell silent as he regained his life and saw Umbra standing before him in all her naked glory.

"Umbra ?. But how?". Alessio said, before being quickly silenced with a finger on his lips, Umbra smiled seductively as she pressed her beautiful body against his, her breasts pressed like pillows against his chest.

"It is the last gift I wanted to give you before you returned home. The gem I will make to be able to contact me at any time and in any place whenever you want". she whispered seductively in his ear purring as she wraps her arms around him and kisses him and engages in a language battle.

Alessio deepened the linguistic battle with her, slipped his hands on her sinuous body. Umbra moaned into her kiss, before separating her lips from hers, "We'd better hurry. I doubt you'll want to spend too much time in a bathroom, not attracting the attention of others." she whispered as she snaked her hands over her jeans and unbuttoned them and pulled down the zip and rubbed his member over the top of the boxer fabric, already she felt his erection become rock hard.
Alessio nodded and smiled while Umbra let go of his member. before turning away from him, giving him the waist of her soft and firm ass and resting her hands on the sink, she grabbed a buttock while reflected from the mirror she massaged one breast, licking her lips, before pulling her buttock noting both of her holes, she let go the glute and bent more and swung her hips slowly from side to side in an inviting manner.

Alessio grabbed her buttocks and aligns his member against her mare and slams her inside, making her emit a hoarse moan and I start to push in and out of her, quickly picking up a good rhythm.
After a few moments, without stopping to slam fast and hard inside her, Alessio lifts her leg and rests it on his shoulder while he played and massaged with her breast with his other hand.

Both moan with lust, the sound of the wet slaps echoing inside the bathroom, Alessio's pelvis banged against Umbra's buttock cheeks, she bit her lower lip, moaning muffled, and then, Alessio released her breasts for the 'grabbing her by the hips and kept fucking her standing up. Increasing the thrusts several minutes later when he felt pressure build up in his loins, Alessio tried to hold him for another few minutes, and with one last thrust, he sprayed the semen into her womb, while Umbra came a couple of seconds later.
Both panting looked into each other's eyes, before kissing again and engaging in a linguistic battle. Before breaking the kiss.
"Thanks for the gift Umbra" Alessio told her smiling.

"You deserve it, as well as my body and ... my thanks." Umbra said passionately kissing him again. Alessio reciprocated the kiss in the same way.
When they broke his arm, however Umbra, he still had one more thing to do, he knelt on the suitcase and gave a tender lick to the member.

Alessio moaned and bit his lip as his cock throbbed from Umbra's tender licks, she winked before sliding his virility into her mouth. leaving him breathless and arching his back in an involuntary thrust, Umbra purred as she began to move her head over his manhood, watching him continuously as she went on for a few minutes and soon also thanks to the passion Umbra was putting in to get him excited again more, Alessio began to feel the pressure increase in his loins, he try to resist but could not and he came into her mouth.
Umbra swallowed everything without losing even a drop, before letting go of his member and licking her lips, and then, standing up and kissing him passionately, hugging him tightly.

Umbra would have liked to tell him something else and perhaps Alessio had the same impression. The former queen of the Crystal Empire dissolved her embrace and deep kiss. Before returning home, she disappearing in a cloud of dust.
Alessio observed the pendant called the lighthouse, smiled and carefully puts it in one of the free pockets so as not to accidentally report it. he retrieved the briefcase, arranged his clothes and tidied himself up, and then returned to the passenger carriage where his mares-friends were.

Once inside he apologized for the delay, as well as because he had to change clothes and that nature called, and then took a seat next to Twilight. smiled to see that Spike was sleeping in the next seat and was surprised to see much of his gem armor now devoured.

Twilight looked out the window and sighed, Alessio frowned knowing full well how much Twilight cared not to disappoint Princess Celestia. Although Twilight has made her contribution in saving The Empire Crystal, this shouldn't weigh so much on her test that Princess Celestia has entrusted to her.

Alessio looked at her and touched her shoulder. "Twilight listen to me. As Shining Armor told you. Everything will be fine. I'm sure when you explain the whole story to her. Princess Celestia will understand. The important thing is that the Crystal Empire is safe. And a win for all," be it for a test or something. So don't get down on yourself like that," he told her hoping he was reassuring enough for her.

Twilight glanced at him and sat on his lap and hugged him. "Yes, you are right. I hope Princess Celestia understands that I have made a right choice to save the Crystal Empire." he muttered as she rubbed her muzzle tenderly against his chest, being careful not to hit him with her horn.
Alessio smiled at her, caressing her silky mane. "I'm sure of it," he told him reassuringly.

Twilight let out a soft purr from his touch, before opening her eyes wide and standing up straight and looking him in the eye. "Oh wait. I was forgetting. Princess Celestia replied to me and she wants to see us in the castle and told me that Princess Luna arrived yesterday at the castle, now she is awake and very furious when you get to the castle". she said concern.

Alessio let out a long sigh as he reclined against the back of the seat and turned his gaze to the window and swallowed in a cold sweat, then looked at the ceiling of the passenger carriage, without really staring at it and groaned between his teeth. Luna will tell him in all colors and lecture him that he will never forget it in life or hope that Luna will not break it once she steps into the castle or as soon as she gets off the train.

"Oh heck... I'm up to my neck in trouble when we get home," he said with a groan defeatedly as he looked at the window, as Twilight stepped close to him, and took his hand softly with a reassuring smile.

Alessio long sighed once again, before crossing his arms over his chest and closed his eyes and dozed off a moments later, he was still on the way to the next train destination is Canterlot.
Twilight looked at him, smiled and snuggle against his shoulder and enjoyed the journey home.

Author's Note

Hi all guys!. And welcome back to this new update of Assistant Tailor and Handyman in Equestria.
First of all I would like to thank Robocart9 for further helping me with the idea of the Great War and the name to Sleipinr. mentioned that you have read in the chapter and for giving me permission to use his OC General Sun Steel and Obsidian Sword.
everything in its time, you will find out more about what happened.
Usually, he asked you if you have any particular mare you would like to see here in the story for the next chapter. But this time I pass. you will find out who the mare will be in the next one.
So see you at the next update. see you next time!