Eleanor's POV.
*Dream*
*Dream End*
I woke up with a sudden startle from what felt like a magical explosion. I literally jumped out of the bed, rolled down the stairs and rammed into Pinkie Pie.
Ow!!!
I rubbed my head and looked at the pink Pony I bumped into. I gave her an apologetic smile with a blush.
Oops. My bad, Pinkie.
As if she could hear me, Pinkie looked at me and smiled back, "Don't worry about it, Nellie. Accidents happen."
I sighed in relief and then Twilight spoke to me, "Ellie! Thank goodness you're up. You need to get dressed now. Princess Celestia has a test for us."
My eyes widen in surprise and shock.
A test? You mean 'The Test'? This soon? Why didn't you just say so!?
I quickly nodded and got dressed into my casual attire. Twilight packed her essentials, which ended up overfilling her backpack, and we took the Friendship Express to Canterlot.
Why am I excited for this test? This test was planned for Sunset Shimmer before she lost her patience. If she stuck around, Shimmer would've understood why patience and humility are very important parts of her lessons.
But, she's not here anymore and Twilight is taking the test instead.
I miss you, Shimmer...
*Later, in Canterlot Castle...*
Twilight and I hurried into the throne room of the castle. Well, Twilight hurried. Inside was Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. They look like they've been discussing something. They feel worried.
Twilight cleared her throat, announcing our presence in the room.
"Trust me, little sister." Princess Celestia assured Luna, as she walked over and past us.
"You wanted to see me? To give me a test?" Twilight asked.
Princess Luna passed us with a worried look. I gave her a greeting nod. Luna nodded back.
"I brought my own quills and plenty of paper to show my work." Twilight assured, as she unpacked her backpack.
Unfortunately, the backpack exploded and supplies flew everywhere.
Twilight tried her best to clean up her mess, "Sorry, sorry!"
Princess Celestia used her magic to help clean up the mess more quickly, "This is a different kind of test." She returned the supplies into Twilight's backpack and announced, "The Crystal Empire has returned."
Twilight and I gasped in shock. Twilight used her magic to grab multiple books and read them one-by-one, "The Crystal Empire? I'm sorry, I-I thought I'd studied. Ooh. I don't think there's anything in any of my books th–"
Princess Celestia shook her head, "There wouldn't be. Few remember it ever existed at all." She walked over to a crystal within a glass case. She removed the case an placed the large crystal in front of Twilight and I, "Even my knowledge of the Empire is limited."
Princess Celestia used her magic to activate the crystal. The crystal showed us a birds-eye view of a large city in the pattern of a snowflake, with a large castle in the middle. It was beautiful.
"But what I do know is that it contains a powerful magic." The Princess of the Day started, "One thousand years ago, King Sombra, a unicorn whose heart was black as night, took over the Crystal Empire."
Suddenly, the crystal showed in image of the Unicorn Stallion from my dream. A tall, dark and handsome Unicorn with a red-tinted curved horn, dressed armor and a scarlet cape, enslaving the citizens to mine and work in chains.
"He was ultimately overthrown, turned to shadow, and banished to the ice of the arctic north." Princess Celestia continued, as the image shown herself and Princess Luna taking him out and turning him into a shadow and encasing him in ice, "But not before he was able to put a curse upon the Empire. A curse that caused it to vanish into thin air."
The image faded and Princess Celestia lifted the crystal with her magic, "If the Empire is filled with hope and love..." She fired a beam of light magic at the crystal. The crystal reacted with a rainbow of colors, "Those things are reflected across all of Equestria. If hatred and fear take hold..."
Princess Celestia's eyes turned a solid green with a purple mist emitting. Her horn's aura turned black with purple and green haze. Similar to the same magic that Sunset Shimmer hit me with. She fired a beam of this magic at the crystal. The crystal reacted by casting a dark shadow over me and Twilight. Dark crystals grew around us. Twilight hugged close to me.
Princess Celestia's magic returned to normal and she destroyed the crystals, "Which is why I need your help finding a way to protect it." She told Twilight.
"You want me to help protect an entire empire?" Twilight asked, still shaken from what just happened.
Princess Celestia nodded, returning the original crystal in the glass casing, "It is, as I said, a different kind of test. But one I'm certain you will pass."
Twilight looked at me in uncertainty. I nodded in determination. The lavender Unicorn nodded, then turned to her mentor, "How do I begin?"
"By joining Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire." Princess Celestia answered, walking past us, toward the door.
Twilight smiled, "My brother is there?"
"He is." Princess Celestia answered with a giggle, as Twilight and I caught up to her, "Eleanor and your Ponyville friends will join you there as well. I have every confidence you will succeed. And when you do, I'll know you are ready to move on to the next level of your studies."
Twilight looked at Princess Luna, who was waiting at the door. She looked uncertain about this idea. Twilight's smile faded and she asked her mentor, "But what if I fail?"
"You won't." Princess Celestia assured.
"But what if-" Twilight tried to say, but I put my hand over her muzzle and shook my head.
Princess Celestia nodded with a smile at my actions, "You won't." Then she told her student, "But Twilight, in the end, it must be you and you alone who ultimately assists Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in doing what needs to be done to protect the Empire. Do you understand?"
Twilight nodded with a smile of determination, "Mm-hmm!"
"Then go." Celestia told her, "There is no time to lose."
With that, she closed the doors on us. Twilight sucked in uncertainty. I rubbed my arms in uncertainty.
This is a really big task.
Twilight and I exit the castle and met up with Spike, who waited for us at the steps.
Spike saw us coming and smiled, "Twilight! Ellie! That was fast! Let me guess, you got a perfect score?" He noticed Twilight's sad look, "A-minus? B-plus?" Then he gasped, "Twilight, did you... Fail?"
Twilight Sparkle
I was prepared to do my best,
Thought I could handle any test.
For I can do so many tricks,
But I wasn't prepared for this.
Levitation would have been a breeze,
Facts and figures I recite with ease.
Twilight Sparkle: The square root of 546 is 23.36664289109.
Professor Bill Neigh: She is correct!
Twilight Sparkle
I could ace a quiz on friendship's bliss,
But I wasn't prepared for this.
Will I fail, or will I pass?
I can't be sure...
Spike
She can't be sure...
Twilight Sparkle
My mind is sharp, my skills intact,
My heart is pure...
Spike
Her heart is pure...
Twilight Sparkle
Oh, I've taken my share of licks,
I've made it through the thin and thick.
But no I wasn't...
Spike
Oh no, she wasn't...
Twilight Sparkle
Oh no, I wasn't...
Spike
Oh no, she wasn't...
Twilight Sparkle
No I wasn't...
Twilight Sparkle and Spike
Prepared... For this!
"Uh, prepared for what exactly?" Spike asked, as we arrived to the train station.
Before Twilight could answer, Applejack spoke up with a smile, "Twilight!" She threw her arms around the concerned Unicorn, but noticed her expression, "Uh, did ya pass?"
Pinkie Pie brought in her party cannon, "Are we gonna celebrate your awesomeness with Princess Celestia?"
The cannon blew confetti and streamers into the air, as Pinkie jumped with them.
Twilight Sparkle shook her head, "Not quite." Pinkie and the party canon reset to their ground positions, "We're going to the Crystal Empire!"
The Ponies looked at each other in confusion, "Huh?"
*Later, In the Arctic North...*
The Girls and I arrived to the last train station in the Arctic North. There was a harsh blizzard outside, which made us change into our winter attires.
We exit the train and the weather made it nearly impossible to see.
"Ha! And you all made fun of me for packing so many scarves." Rarity smiled, as she exit the train.
Spike followed behind her, carrying her heavy luggage, "I didn't say a word."
Rarity, scarves don't make it easier to see in this blizzard.
"Twilight!" A familiar voice shouted from the snow and wind.
Twilight narrowed her eyes into the blizzard, "Shining Armor?"
From the harsh snow and wind, Shining Armor emerged from the weather, wearing a black visor and scarf.
Shining removed his visor and scarf from his muzzle and smiled in relief, "Twily! You made it!" The two siblings hugged each other and Shining turned serious, "We'd better get moving. There are things out here we really don't want to run into after dark."
Fluttershy gulped and hugged close to me, "What kind of things?"
"Let's just say the Empire... Isn't the only thing that's returned." Shining answered.
With that, The girls and I followed Shining Armor deeper into the blizzard.
"Something keeps trying to get in!" Shining Armor shouted to us in explanation, "We think it's the unicorn king who originally cursed the place."
"But Princess Celestia said I was being sent here to find a way to protect the Empire!" Twilight replied, "If King Sombra can't get in, then it must already be protected."
Suddenly, a howl echoed around us. It sounded hollow and empty. Like a wolf lost in a void.
Fluttershy gasped and looked around in a panic, "Th-That's one of the things, isn't it?"
"We have to get to the Crystal Empire!" Shining Armor told us, "Now!"
Suddenly a large shadow-like creature appeared behind us and growled. It had Sombra's eyes. The very same from my dream and the simulation Celestia made us see. Green sclera. Scarlet irises and narrow pupils with a purple mist flowing out of the eye.
Twilight was the first to run, "Go, go!"
Everypony followed after her, running from the shadow. Shining Armor saw something in the horizon and told us, "Almost there."
Noticing the shadow gaining on us. I turned and decided to fight it. Shadows and Bat Ponies belong to the same element of magic: Darkness. So, I have a better chance of fighting it.
I took flight and fired magical energy blasts at the creature, but my blasts just went through the creature. The shadow looked at me dead in the eyes and charged toward me. I readied a shield spell.
Twilight's POV.
The Girls, my brother and I were able to enter a blue magical shield in the center of the storm. The grass was soft and warm under my hooves and knees, as I fell to catch my breath from the running.
I looked at my friends, "Everypony okay?"
Everyone agreed, as they tried to catch their breath too. Suddenly, I noticed a certain ravenette Bat Pony wasn't with us.
"Ellie? Where's Ellie?" I asked.
As if a reply to my question, I heard heavy breathing from behind me. I turned and saw Ellie enter the shield. But something was wrong with her.
"Oh, no!" I gasped, "Ellie!"
Ellie's fur has faded to a charcoal grey color. Her mane and tail had grown to a mint green color. Even her eyes were drained of color. It was like she barely escaped the shadow with her a little bit left of her magic.
Ellie tried to get to her hooves, but she couldn't. I put her arm over my shoulders and helped her to her hooves and joined the others.
Eleanor's POV.
"Sparkle-riffic!" Pinkie gasped, as we saw the Crystal Empire. The place was more beautiful in person.
We entered the large city, making our way to the castle.
Rarity looked around in marvel of the city, "It's gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous! There are no words!"
Applejack tapped Rarity back to reality, "Focus, Rarity. We're here to help Twilight, not admire the scenery."
Rainbow Dash shrugged her shoulders, "Eh, I don't see what the big deal is. Just looks like another old castle to me."
Rarity was lost for words, "Another old...! Have you lost your mind? Look at the magni-"
Then Rainbow and Applejack started laughing at Rarity's reaction.
Rarity noticed and calmed with a smile, "Very funny."
We followed Shining Armor through the castle and into the throne room. Sitting on the throne was Princess Cadance. But she looked and felt off. Her horn was glowing in its magical aura, but she looked like she hasn't slept in weeks.
Twilight smiled and ran toward her sister-in-law, "Cadance!"
Cadance looked and saw Twilight approached her. The two met up and did their little fillyhood dance, "Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!"
Cadance giggled, then looked at me. Her smile faded, "Little Nellie. What happened to you?"
"She tried to fight King Sombra off so we could get her." Twilight explained for me.
Cadance smiled at me, "You were very brave to face him." Then she flinched. Her horn flashed and the force field flashed, before they became solid again.
Cadance tried to regain her smile, "One of these days we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance." Then she sighed, exhaustion.
Twilight approached her sister-in-law in concern, "Are you okay?"
Shining Armor shook his head, "Cadance has been able to use her magic to spread love and light. That seems to be what is protecting it. But she hasn't slept, barely eats." He put her caring hand over her shoulder, I want to help her, but my protection spell has been countered by King Sombra."
"It's alright Shining Armor, I'm fine." Cadance assured between breaths, but she was got a little worse.
Shining Armor shook his head again, "She's not fine. She can't go on like this forever, and if her magic were to fade... Well, you saw what's out there waiting for that to happen."
Twilight nodded with a smile, "That's why we're here."
"Why we're all here." Applejack added.
The others nodded in agreement. Shining and Cadance looked at me. I nodded with a smile. Even though I feel very drained and weak, I will do what I can to help.
Shining rubbed his chin in thought, "Well, with Cadance putting all her strength into keeping her spell going, and me trying to keep an eye on signs of trouble in the arctic, we haven't been able to gather much information from the Crystal Ponies."
Rarity lost her composure to excitement, "Crystal Ponies?! Hahaha, there are Crystal Ponies?!"
The rest of us stared at her. Rarity regained her composure and cleared her throat, "Um, ahem. Please continue."
"But we have to believe one of them knows how we can protect the Empire without having to use Cadance's magic." Shining Armor finished.
Twilight thought for a second, then smiled, "A research paper!"
Shining Armor raised a brow, "Huh?"
"That must be part of my test: To gather information from the Crystal Ponies and deliver it to you!" Twilight summarized in excitement, "This is gonna be great! I love research papers!"
"Yeah, who doesn't?" Rainbow Dash joked in sarcasm, as she nudged Pinkie Pie.
Pinkie smiled and picked the Ponies, as she called them, "Oh-oh-oh! Lemme guess! Is it Spike? No, no, Fluttershy! Rarity?"
"Don't worry, big brother. I am really good at this sort of thing." Twilight assured her brother.
I nodded, then my head started to feel light and dizzy and my vision was starting to go black. I took a step, then my body fell limp. The last thing I heard was the Ponies around me calling my name, until my vision went black.
*Dream*
*Dream End*
Ugh.... My head... Princess Luna?
I finally was able to open my eyes and find myself being shaken awake by Shining Armor, "Nellie? Nellie, wake up. Come on, don't give up on us now."
I sat up and rubbed my eyes to look at the newlyweds. We were still in the throne room, but Twilight and the girls were not present in the room. I looked around to find everypony.
"The Girls went into town to gather intel on how to protect the Crystal Empire so, Cadance can rest." Shining Armor informed me.
Suddenly, Twilight and Spike came running in with a large book in a red casing, "Shining Armor, Cadance, Ellie. I think we might have something." She opened the book and explained, "A 'Crystal Faire'. According to this book, it was established by their first queen and became their most important tradition. The Faire was held every year to 'renew the spirit of love and unity in the empire so they could protect it from harm'. My friends and I could put it together. Everything we need to know is in the book!"
Shining Armor nodded with a smile, "That sounds pretty promising."
I nodded in agreement, but Cadance looked like she was gonna fall asleep at anytime now, or her magic was gonna give out.
"We'll get started right away." Twilight told us, "C'mon, Spike. C'mon, Ellie. We've got a Crystal Faire to put together!"
Spike and I nodded and followed her to the main council room, where the others were sitting around a large table.
Twilight Sparkle
Princess Cadance needs our help,
Her magic will not last forever.
I think we can do it,
But we need to work together.
We have to get this right,
Yes, we have to make them see,
We can save the Crystal Ponies with their history.
Rainbow Dash
It says that they like jousting,
Rarity
They flew a flag of many hues.
Applejack
Made sweets of crystal berries,
Fluttershy
They had a petting zoo with tiny ewes.
All
Oh, we have to get this right,
Yes, we have to make them see,
We can save the Crystal Ponies with their history.
Pinkie Pie
There was a crystal flugelhorn,
That every pony liked to play.
Twilight Sparkle
And the Crystal Kingdom anthem,
Can you learn it in a day?
All
Oh, we have to get this right
Yes, we have to make them see
We can save the Crystal Ponies with their history
"It looks amazing!" Twilight smiled, as she looked everything over for the upcoming fair, "I don't know how I could've done this without you! One last check to make sure everything is in place, and then the festivities can begin!"
"What's this thing for?" Applejack asked, lightly tapping a stand with a heart made from crystal.
"The last page of the book mentioned a Crystal Heart as the fair's centerpiece, so I used my magic to cut one out of a crystal block." Twilight explained.
Applejack smiled, Nice work, Twi. Think we're ready to get this fair up and runnin'."
*Later that day...*
With everything ready for the Crystal Fair, it was time to invite the citizens.
Pinkie started the ceremony with a flugelhorn fanfare. Twilight, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor approached the balcony.
Twilight cleared her throat and called in a loud voice, "Hear ye, hear-"
Unfortunately she was cut off by Pinkie continuing to play the flugelhorn. Pinkie noticed and gave an apologetic laugh, "My bad."
Pinkie put the horn away and Twilight picked up where she left off with the announcement, "Hear ye, hear ye! Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor do cordially invite you to attend the Crystal Fair!"
Everything was working great. The Crystal Ponies are beginning to glow and shine with happiness. Their memories seem to be returning and they were enjoying the festivities of the Crystal Fair. Of course, with Rainbow Dash being a little up close and personal with some of the mares.
I couldn't help but smile, but felt something was missing about this whole thing.
Crystal Empire... Crystal Ponies... Crystal Fair... *Gasp* The Crystal Heart isn't here!
With a swift motion of flight, I grabbed a flag and put it over the heart that Twilight created.
Twilight looked at me with a raised brow, "Why did you–"
I shook my head and made my arms form an 'X'.
The Ponies will know this is a fake, Twilight. The Crystal Heart is a real relic!
As if she could hear me, Twilight gasped and started looking through the book again.
*On the Balcony...*
"I didn't know it was an actual relic!" Twilight exclaimed to Cadance and Shining Armor, as she looked through the pages, "The book didn't mention anything about the Crystal Ponies powering the Heart!" Then she came to the end and noticed, "There was a page missing... How did I not notice?!"
Cadance looked ready to collapse, "It's alright, Twilight."
Finally her body gave out and so did her magic. Cadance collapsed, but Shining Armor caught her. He looked at the horizon and gasped, "Twily..."
Twilight and I followed his gaze and noticed the force field failing.
King Sombra had this place surrounded.
To Be Continued...
