Lone Wolf of Equestria; Battle for the Crystal Empire

by JNKing

Rating: teen
Tags: King Sombra, Adventure, Twilight Sparkle, Violence, Princess Celestia, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Death, Drama, Original Character
Length: 10846

The Lone Wolf of Equestria returns to battle King Sombra for control of the Crystal Heart

Two years have passed since Logan, a werewolf from another dimension, was taken from his world by Celestia.

However, Celestia's search for him is put on hold by a startling discovery; the return of the Crystal Empire!

In this re-imagining of The Crystal Empire Two Parter, Logan and the Mane Six must set aside their conflict and work together to keep the Empire safe from the Dark King Sombra. All while Logan seeks out the Crystal Heart, believing it might be the key to returning him home.

Special thanks to Ashley Bailey for the cover art.

Published 2019-07-27 23:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-08-16 14:35:11 UTC

Chapter 1: Guess Who's Back

Author's Note

Hey again everybody. Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.

I'm still working on the rest of the story while juggling two jobs and making some major revisions to my novel, and thus, I'm not going to be able to publish as frequently as I did before. But I will still make sure to get at least one chapter out every week, so be sure to check back once a week for updates. Sorry again for this, and thank you for all your comments and feedback. You were a great audience during the first Lone Wolf, and I hope you enjoy more of Logan's adventures. :twilightsmile:

With that out of the way, let's see how Logan's presence will impact the Crystal Empire.

Chapter 1: Guess Who's Back

Sombra was back. It had been so long, and yet he was alive. He was back in Equestria. And soon, the infernal Princesses would suffer his wrath. If only he had recovered sooner; then his Crystal Empire likely wouldn’t have been able to keep him out. He growled, the field just as impenetrable as when he first found his beloved Empire returned to Equestria. The rest of the world was blocked by cold and ice. The Empire would fall to him soon enough; the warm and light could only be held in for so long.

Yet Sombra was not a patient lord. He wanted his Empire back, and he wanted it back soon. No doubt the Princess Celestia would seek to yank it away from him just as she and her foul sister had done before.

Suddenly, Sombra became aware of a presence; life, trekking through the Artic. Towards his empire. He focused his vision, and made out a canine form forcing its way through the snow, getting closer and closer to his kingdom.

Sombra let a rumbling chuckle escape his repairing throat. Perhaps fate had delivered him a method of gaining his Empire back sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, back in the Equestrian Capital of Canterlot, Celestia sat upon her throne, reviewing several papers. The workload was as strong as ever, barely giving her time to think about the young wolf that had fled from her borders.

Her heart still ached at how horribly she had handled the situation; the first of a brand-new breed of canines; capable of magic and bold in the face of adversity, and she had caused the murder of one and the only remaining one on Equestria to despise her. Her faithful student Twilight had reported no success on his rediscovery, and with the Diamond Dogs populating the outskirts of Equestria, it was likely as not that the Lone Wolf known as Logan would be mistaken as just another Diamond Dog.

“Even though he is far from just another one of those creatures,” Celestia thought sadly.

Her mournful thoughts were interrupted as a guard burst through the door.

“News from Northern Equestria, your Highness,” the guard reported.

“Yes?” Celestia asked, intrigued.

“The Lone Wolf has been sighted.”

The news would have propelled a far younger Celestia to her hooves. However, she took a moment to repress her excitement and worry, and rose smoothly to her hooves.

“However, we have also heard reports that…” the guard paused, “The Crystal Empire has returned.”

Celestia’s eyes widened. “And the Lone Wolf is bound for it?”

“From what our sources report, yes,” the guard said with a nod.

Celestia felt her heart begin to race in panic. Even her stoic façade could not survive such news, as she let a small gasp escape before covering her shock.

“Find Princess Cadence and Shining Armor,” she ordered her guards. As they departed with a quick ‘Yes, your highness,’ she yanked the nearest blank scroll and quill to her.

“My dearest Twilight, you must come to Canterlot at once…”

As Celestia heard the sound of a familiar tree library being uprooted, she suppressed a small chuckle. It seemed that Twilight would be on her way as soon as possible.

As Celestia awaited her protégé, she was accompanied by a familiar midnight blue alicorn. Celestia felt her smile fade as her sister came to her; it may have been years since the incident, but Celestia still felt a surge of irritation towards her sister. The wolves had already been rather temperamental and slow to trust, but Luna’s actions had likely set them back further than Celestia cared to deal with. Sure, her sister had acted with good intentions, but good intentions did not justify the consequences.

“Sister,” Luna said softly, “Are you sure you don’t want me to go as well?”

“Yes,” Celestia said, her tone steel calm, “Princess Cadence and Shining Armor are already there. And if the Lone Wolf joins the others…” she gave her sister a knowing glare, that Luna bowed her head from.

“The Empire’s magic is powerful,” Luna said, “I am sure the Lone Wolf would see that there are more important things than…”

“He has made his feelings clear on us, and having us near him will only jeopardize the Empire’s safety,” Celestia replied. “Twilight and her friends are the only ones that have a chance of reaching the Lone Wolf. And Twilight deserves the chance to win back his loyalty far more than I do.” Celestia’s head bowed. “Plus, I must know just how close she is… to being ready for the next level of her studies.”

A small clearing of a throat caught Celestia’s attention. She noticed her student stumbling inside, fumbling with several quills and scrolls. A grin graced Celestia’s snout.

“Trust me, little sister,” Celestia said, winning back a bit of that loving tone she used to have, before turning back to Twilight.

“You wanted to see me?” Twilight asked hurriedly, “To give me a test? I brought my own quills and plenty of paper to show my work.” She fumbled too much, and the paper spilled everywhere. “Sorry-sorry!” she squeaked.

Celestia repressed a small chuckle at her student’s antics. Twilight was always so eager to please, especially when it came to Celestia. Such a sharp contrast to the wolf Logan, who seemed to be obligated to fight against anyone that tried to tell him what to do.

“This is a different type of test,” Celestia elaborated, breaking herself out of her pleasant thoughts, “The Crystal Empire has returned.”

If Celestia thought the news was grim, Twilight’s reaction was something else. Her skin paled, and her pupils shrunk to pinpricks.

“The Crystal Empire?” Twilight stammered. “I-I’m sorry, I-I thought I studied. I don’t think there’s anything in my books that…”

“There wouldn’t be,” Celestia quickly said, before Twilight suffered a conniption, “Few remember it ever existed at all. Even my knowledge of the Empire is limited.”

She produced a small crystal, and with a light tap from her horn, it revealed a small holographic model of a beautiful city made entirely of crystals. Twilight stared at the city in awe.

“What I do know is that it contains a powerful magic. One thousand years ago, King Sombra, a unicorn whose heart was as black as night, took over the Crystal Empire.”

The scenery changed. A pitch-black unicorn, dressed in armor of obsidian, laughed down from the highest tower as crystalized ponies, who once frolicked and played together in the kingdom, now marched in chains, their heads down and their expressions broken.

“Ultimately,” Celestia continued, “He was overthrown; turned to shadows and banished to the ice of the Artic North.”

Two shadowy silhouettes - clearly Celestia and Luna - appeared, blasting the dark unicorn into an icy chasm, as he sounded his rage with a roar.

“But not before he was able to put a curse upon the Empire,” Celestia elaborated, “A curse that caused it to vanish into thin air. You see, when the Empire is filled with love and hope, those things are reflected across all of Equestria.” Her gaze fractured as she reluctantly called upon a form of magic she’d rather not use. “But when hatred and fear take hold…”

She zapped the crystal with a dark bolt, that cast a large shadow and caused obsidian to appear around Twilight. Seeing the look of panic deepen across Twilight’s face, Celestia quickly dissipated the dark magic.

“This is why I need your help finding a way to protect it,” Celestia said.

However, this did not calm her student.

“You want me to help protect an entire empire?” Twilight asked incredulously.

“It is, as I said, a different kind of test. But one I’m certain you will pass.”

Twilight’s eyes briefly darted back and forth, the panic still strong in her face. But she squashed it down into a look of determination. Celestia found herself pitying the poor mare; her determination was a poor cover for her fear.

“How do I begin?” she asked.

“By joining Princess Cadence and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire.”

“My brother is there?”

Celestia hesitated, but then added, “Along with Logan Wolfe.”

The implication hit Twilight like a sack of bricks. “Logan’s… alive?” Twilight stammered.

“Alive and on his way to the Empire,” Celestia said, “He has likely discovered legends about the magic concealed in the Empire, and believes that it will aid him in returning home.” Her gaze fractured as the thought of the young wolf caused the wound in her heart to throb. “This is… another reason why I am trusting you on this. You and your friends will likely encounter the wolf during your test. But hopefully, his time in the wild will have soothed his troubled conscious, and he will remember the bonds he built with your friends.”

Twilight looked away. “I don’t know, Princess,” she said, “Fluttershy was the only one who got through to him. I failed to earn his trust last time; how do I know he'll even listen?”

“You are my most valuable and trusted student,” Celestia said kindly, “I have every confidence you will succeed. And when you do, I’ll know you are ready to move onto the next level of your studies.”

Celestia had hoped that her assurance would soothe Twilight, but the purple mare only seemed to look more aggravated and scared.

“But what if I fail?” she asked.

“You won’t,” Celestia said firmly.

“But what if I…”

“You won’t,” Celestia said more firmly. Twilight backed up. Celestia felt a pang of sorrow at the nervousness in her student. Her assurances didn’t seem to be helping her. But then Celestia remembered something from the notes on Logan that Twilight had shared. “Twilight; Logan is... a challenge to understand, I'll admit. But I know he cares for you and your friends, even if fear blinds him to his own feelings.” She smiled, “And the information he shared with you – did it not mention that wolves bond better with those that suffer trials by fire alongside them?”

Twilight’s ears perked up. “It… He did mention that,” Twilight said, “Combat against mutual foes brought his pack together in the first place.”

Celestia smiled softly. “Ask for his help – appeal to his sense of honor – and he will likely aid you. And together, you will both do what needs to be done to protect the Empire. Do you understand?”

“Mm-hmm,” Twilight said, her expression much more confident.

“Then go,” Celestia said, “There is no time to lose.”

The train whistle rang long and loud. As the six mares left the train station, they were all hit with an instant wave of cold that sent them shivering to their bones. Well, almost all of them.

“Ha!” Rarity cried triumphantly, “And you all made fun of me for packing so many scarves.”

“I didn’t say a word,” Spike mumbled, tilting under the weight of Rarity’s suitcases.

Before Twilight could ask if Rarity could share, a voice sounded through the wind.

“Twilight!”

Twilight peered through the frosty fog, and saw a figure marching towards them. At first, he was hidden by the frost and sleet. But then his white fur became prominent, and as he removed the mask and scarf from his face, Twilight’s expression brightened at the soft blue eyes of her brother.

“Shining!” Twilight cheered, embracing her older brother.

“You made it,” Shining said in relief, before glancing around. His eyes briefly locked on a shadowy figure, who ducked out of sight. “We’d better get moving,” he said quickly, “There are things out here we really don’t want to run into after dark.”

Fluttershy gulped as they began moving. “What kinds of things?”

“Let’s just say the Empire,” Shining said gravely, chancing another glance as the shadowy figure briefly appeared again, “Isn’t the only thing that returned.”

“What do you mean?” Rainbow Dash asked, as the seven ponies and dragon trudged through the snow.

“Something keeps trying to get in,” Shining explained, his horn glowing as the shadowy figure briefly appeared again. “We think it’s the unicorn king who originally cursed this place.”

“But Princess Celestia sent us here to protect the Empire,” Twilight protested, “If King Sombra can’t get in, then… it must already be protected.”

Suddenly, a howl pierced the air.

“Is that…” Fluttershy started to stammer, before the howl split into music. Grave and dire music, but still music.

“Darkness. And danger. Prepare thee for thy solemn hour…”

At the sound of music, the mares all stopped in shock.

“Logan?” Twilight whispered.

“Logan!” Rainbow Dash yelled, “That you, you crazy canine!?”

“Danger. And darkness. Insanity surrounds and binds us…!”

“I don’t think he can hear us,” Spike said, “Does any pony know how to howl?”

Before some pony could reply, a black wave of smoke billowed up behind them. And from that darkness, two pairs of evil green and red eyes opened, staring down at them hungrily.

Shining’s eyes shrunk to pinpricks, “We have to get to the Crystal Empire! Now!”

The mares, stallion and dragon spun around and sprinted across the snowy field, the dark presence slinking and billowing after them like a great tsunami of destruction. Spike started to fall behind, but Shining snatched him up in his aura, and transitioned him to Twilight, who propped him up on his back.

“Go-go!” Twilight yelled.

Shining steered them towards a section of mountain shaped like a U. At first, nothing was there, but then they became aware of a white and blue shield, pulsating and bright between the mountains and shielding something from the storm.

“Almost there,” Shining assured them. But as the mares raced for the blue and white shield, he spun around, his horn glowing as he faced the smoky demon head on.

The demon growled, an equine face forming from the storm, and hurtling towards Shining as he readied his horn for battle. But before the darkness could close in on Shining, something else did.

A flash of white smashed Shining away from the demon. The demon paused, eyes wide in alarm, before turning to the side.

Shining was shaking his head, being hauled to his hooves by a large white wolf. As the demon roared at them both, the wolf turned to them, silver eyes shining white, and the wolf blasted a wave of lightning right into the demon’s face.

The demon let out a massive roar, briefly rearing back before the face reformed, growling at the wolf with malice in its eyes.

Shining quickly joined in, blasting at the demon with beams of pink. But even as the spells forced the demon back, they started to get coated with obsidian, which raced down the beams towards their bearers.

“That won’t hold it for long,” Shining bellowed, shutting his beam off before his horn could get the obsidian treatment.

“Fall back!” the wolf bellowed, rising to his hind legs and lashing his arms to his neck.

Twilight looked back, seeing the wolf pull her brother away from the darkness. The wolf let one final burst of lightning hit the smoky demon before hurling Shining before them. As the wolf and stallion fell in behind them, Twilight charged alongside her friends into the blue and white shield.

Warmth hit them hard, a stark contrast to the ice and snow of the outside. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were all waiting for them, panting and tired from the run, but fine.

Twilight looked around them, checking that Spike was still secured to her back.

“Every pony okay?” she asked.

They all nodded and gasped out general agreement, more focused on catching their breath. Twilight turned to Shining, who had just lunged through the portal, tired but unhurt.

“Shining?” she asked.

He gasped and nodded his assent. Twilight then turned, and felt her heart shoot up into her throat as their final companion joined them on the other side of the shield.

Logan had become a lot different from the pup she had met. Where before he had been the size of an earth pony, now he matched Celestia in height. His fur was bushy and wild, and the blonde fur looked almost bleached white. His jacket had changed; a full section of it had a silver gray shoulder pad sewn into it, the bones of his mother almost absorbed into the fur of his father. All held together with what looked like tree bark and even scraps of metal, burned into the fur and leather. The scarf made from his mother’s fur was draped around his neck, fluttering slightly in the breeze. The fur had also grown along the back of his head, billowing like a lion’s mane. But as he shot her a glare, that defiant gleam in his eyes was still the same.

“I just can’t get away from you, can I?” he said grumpily, even as his tail wagged.

Twilight’s heart tangoed in her chest. He clearly hadn’t changed much, but he was here.

The Lone Wolf of Equestria was back.

Chapter 2: A Tense Reunion

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Chapter 3: Tracking the Crystal Heart

Author's Note

Well, guys. I lucked out, and got the chance to write some more Lone Wolf.

A bit of exposition, including some insight into Logan's history (which will be a part of my books later on), and *Le-GASP :pinkiegasp:* DEFENSE FOR PRINCESS CELESTIA!!!

Please don't hate me for putting Celestia in a better light here; her actions against Logan are still pretty bad, but I don't want people to think she's a bad guy or Tyrantlestia. This is meant to be a morally gray situation where neither side is really right.

Hope you still enjoy. Thanks for reading.

Chapter 3: Tracking the Crystal Heart

Logan walked through the Crystal Empire streets, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash right behind him. He kept glancing around, his nostrils flaring as he searched. Though every time he approached one of the many ponies dotting the streets, they flinched and turned away from him, trembling at his menacing appearance.

“So,” Fluttershy asked him nervously. “What exactly are we looking for?”

“A contingency,” Logan replied. “The Crystal Heart was always powered by the ponies of this empire, and they had a certain festival that helped them. I wasn’t sure on the specifics, but even if we do find the Heart, it’s as likely as not that it won’t be fully powered up.” He shot her a wry grin. “Humans had these odd little cell phones that, if you left them without a source of energy to power them, their power withered away and died. I don’t know about you, but even an artifact like the Crystal Heart might need a charge up before it can use any magic.”

“Alright, so what are we supposed to make for the festival?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“That… I don’t know,” Logan replied, glancing around at the crowd. “They might though.” He walked over to two mares, one of whom instantly bolted. “Now, hang on,” he yelled, causing the other one to stop in her tracks, “Answer some questions, and I promise I won't eat you.”

The mare nervously turned around. “W-Well, I-I’m sorry, b-b-but I’m n-not sure h-how much help I c-c-could be.”

Logan and Fluttershy glanced at each other nervously before Rainbow Dash pressed forward.

“We heard you guys have some sort of Crystal Festival. Involves powering the Crystal Heart?”

The mare just backed up even further from Rainbow Dash.

“I-I’m sorry,” the mare murmured, “I w-wish I could h-help you… but… I-I can’t seem to remember anything b-before King Sombra came to power.”

An ominous black flash emanated, making both parties jump before the mare sunk even lower into her mane.

“A-And I don’t want to remember ANYTHING about that time,” she added with a shudder.

Logan, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy glanced at each other helplessly.

“Well, if you can think of anything, give us a call,” Logan replied.

“O-Of course,” she murmured. As she skittered off, Logan let out a breath of frustration.

“Well, that went well,” Rainbow Dash muttered, “She made Fluttershy look downright social.”

“Fluttershy’s not social around…?” Logan glanced at Fluttershy, who gave him a nervous shrug, “Right.” He glared down at his claws. “My appearance is probably gonna cause some problems.”

“Well, the others don’t have to deal with a seven-foot diamond dog walking around with them,” Rainbow Dash noted, ignoring Logan's miffed look. “Maybe they’re having better luck.”

Twilight and Applejack watched their latest attempt disappear into a house. Despite Applejack stamping her hoof in frustration, Twilight simply looked away, distracted.

“What is with this place?” Applejack pondered, “They seem to have some kinda collective amnesia or something.” She glanced over at Twilight, who didn’t respond. “You all good, sugar?”

Twilight gave a small start. “Oh! Uh, yes, Applejack, I’m fine,” she said, even as her eyes darted away again.

Applejack gave her a small motherly stare, and pulled her aside.

“Twi,” Applejack asked softly. “What Logan said… I know you care a lot about Princess Celestia, but maybe...”

“It didn’t hurt me,” Twilight said. “He… made some points about Princess Celestia. A-And I’m trying to focus on the mission, but… I’m starting to see why he’s so angry at her.”

Applejack tilted her head. “If you need to share, you can,” she said.

Twilight sighed. “We’ve always said that Celestia is the kindest mare in Equestria. A-And she is,” she added hastily, “But Logan brought something up: if Sombra is as dangerous as he seems to be, why didn’t she prepare us more? Why didn’t she let us bring the Elements?” She looked up. “F-For that matter, if we mattered so much, why does she always leave us defending ourselves instead of having an armed escort? Soldiers to protect us in case something like Chrysalis or Discord attacked us.” She clutched her head. “I know I’m not being fair to her, but ever since Logan got here… I’ve started to wonder just how unjustifiable his actions are.”

Applejack looked away herself, looking just as conflicted.

“You mentioned before that, if you were separated from your family, you were scared about how similar you would be to Logan?” Twilight asked. “Well, I’m scared that he has a legitimate reason for hating Princess Celestia. And…” she looked down in horror, “I’m worried it’s spreading to me.”

Applejack stared at Twilight in disbelief. Twilight covered her face in shame. She had always been loyal to the Princess. Sure, the others respected her, but for Twilight, it was more. Borderline worship, if she was being honest with herself. But now, here they were, in the middle of a dangerous mission, and she was suffering a crisis of faith. What a horrendous time for this!

“Twilight,” Applejack said softly, breaking her out of her worry. “Remember; Logan’s just as scared as you are right now. He was taken here against his will. Sure, this is a nicer place than other places that might’ve kidnapped him, but he’s lost and scared that he’ll never see his own family again.” Her head dipped as she remembered his howl of sorrow. “Now, does he have a good reason to be mad at the Princess? Of course; I’d be mad too if the same happened to me. But we also don’t think clearly when we’re angry or emotional. It clouds judgement, causes some pony – or in this case, some wolf – to look only at the bad and ignore all the good.”

Twilight gave a soft nod at that, looking up at Applejack.

“So, maybe Princess Celestia did send us out here without much to go on,” Applejack said, “She did the same with Nightmare, and we came out of that one okay. She’s been around for far longer than you, me or Logan could ever dream of. We gotta have faith that she knows what she’s doing. Just as she has faith that we can do this. Ya understand?”

Twilight wiped at her eyes and held herself a little higher. “Yeah,” she said. “Yeah, I do.”

“Oh, Twilight!” a voice sang. The two looked up to see Rarity bouncing towards them. Applejack smiled as Twilight turned towards her, her focus and determination right back on track.

“Did you find something?” Twilight asked her.

“Oh, something I think you’ll positively enjoy,” Rarity said with a happy bounce. “Guess what they have. Oh, guess-guess!”

Twilight’s ears flared up. “A library?” she asked hopefully.

Rarity’s smile brought a sparkle of joy to Twilight’s eyes.

Twilight burst through the crystal doors, and gave a giant gasp. The others, even Logan, exchanged wry grins at the amount of books held in the first room alone. Twilight’s eyes darted back and forth, as she sputtered and choked in pure glee.

“I just… I don’t even know what to… there are no words,” Twilight sputtered.

A crystal pony with amethyst coloring and a pair of glasses trotted up to them, and awkwardly cleared her throat.

“M-May I help you?” she asked.

“Yes,” Twilight said, zipping over to her, “We’re looking for a book.”

“Wow, very specific, Sparkle,” Logan said sarcastically.

“Indeed,” the librarian replied, sharing a look of bemusement with Logan. “We do have many of those.”

“You do,” Twilight sighed in awe, spinning around as she took in the sight. “You really do.”

As she cooed in glee, Applejack and Logan walked past her.

“We’re looking for a history book,” Applejack elaborated.

“Something about your Crystal Fair,” Logan added.

“Yes, of course,” the librarian said, trotting down one of the many aisles. “History… mm, history… Ah, yes!”

The group charged down the aisle after her. But as Logan yanked the first of the books she was pawing at, he found only the title, 'Crystal Crops and you; how a diet of crystal can lead to a healthier pony.'

“Um,” Twilight said, as Logan started looking through the book, “Where is the history section?”

Here, the librarian’s stoic demeanor faded, and she started rubbing her head, her eyes gaining the same glazed, scared nature of the others.

“I… don’t remember,” the librarian muttered, “I-I’m not sure I even w-work here.”

Rainbow Dash groaned in frustration, while Logan’s claws nearly punctured the book. He quickly put it away before Twilight noticed.

Thankfully, Twilight was too busy sighing in suppressed frustration before turning back to the group.

“Let’s just take a look around. I’m sure we can find it on our own.”

“L-Let me know if you find anything,” the librarian said, wandering off down the aisles. The others watched her go for a beat.

“I like her,” Pinkie Pie finally said.

“Ugh,” Applejack moaned as she shut “The Journey of the Crystal Warriors,” shut, “Any pony else starting to think this is a lost cause?”

“Come on, Applejack,” Logan said, yanking out ‘Crystals and Dogs; a comprehensive and romantic biography’ and quickly putting it away, “We’ve only been at this for an hour.”

“Just an hour?” Rainbow Dash snarked, shutting ‘The Tale of Jade’ and putting it back on the shelf.

Fluttershy started to yank out another book, only for it to get snagged by Twilight’s aura. She shot her a vague look of annoyance, but to be fair, Twilight was making more progress than the others, her aura easily pulling hordes of books towards her and letting her read the covers before replacing them back on the shelves.

“Hey, Logan,” Spike noted, “You have that weird lightning magic. Can’t you do that?” he indicated Twilight’s magic.

Logan watched as Twilight easily spun through book after book. “My magic isn’t that precise,” he said, pulling out another book. “It’s more based on either destruction or...” He paused, and then went back to his search.

“Or what?” Spike asked.

Logan just glanced over at Twilight again, before giving Spike a sad look and turning back to his books. Spike got a slight glare in his eye.

“You know,” Spike said, putting away ‘A Million Ways to make Crystals Explode.’ “I heard your argument all those months ago. How you think you’ll just turn into me.”

Logan paused, and gave Spike a searching look.

“I may have never gotten to meet my actual parents,” Spike admitted. “But I have met my own kind.” He turned away. “They’re thieves, bullies and thugs. And honestly, I’m a lot happier here than with them.”

Logan glared down at him. “Not all dragons are like that,” he growled.

“That…” Spike paused. “You have dragons where you come from?”

“Yeah,” Logan said. “Powerful warriors that wield the elements. I had run ins with them, both before and after I got here. Heck, one of them’s the reason I’m still here.”

“But you know what they’re like,” Spike insisted. “You gotta understand why I might be better off with Twilight?”

Logan growled in warning, but Spike just got closer to him.

“No, you keep acting like Twilight taking care of me is one of the worst things that could’ve happened. But Twilight is my best friend; practically my sister. And I’m tired of you treating her badly just because…”

“Because what?” Logan demanded, “Because I wasn’t taken when I was a pup? Because I can’t imprint on her like you did?” He stepped closer. “Because my people aren’t all thugs, bullies and worse?”

Spike backed up, and looked away sullenly. Logan glared at him before shutting his eyes with a frustrated groan.

“I’m not angry at Twilight,” Logan said softly, turning back to the shelves. “I’m angry at Celestia. And yes,” he added before Spike could speak. “I know that Celestia means a lot to Twilight. But I don’t trust Celestia. I don’t trust anyone that has the level of power she’s got.”

Spike glanced at ‘Keys to a Happy Family’ before sliding it back into its place. “Twilight mentioned that wolf packs work differently.” He glanced up. “But… you mentioned Shiva; the White Wolf. She united the wolf packs; she was their leader. Why didn’t your packs just stay together?”

Logan was silent at first. “Because power corrupts,” he said simply.

Spike tilted his head.

“Shiva was afraid. Not just of having to tend to the needs of millions of wolves, but of what that type of power would do to her. She already was known for having violent outbursts; temper tantrums that got people killed. She didn’t feel that any wolf could handle that much responsibility. So, she let the packs scatter as soon as they didn’t need each other. She let them live their own lives; choose their own paths. If other packs hurt each other, or she got hurt, so be it. Because every time someone in our world got power – the kind of power Shiva and yes, Celestia wield – they let it corrupt them; let themselves think they’re untouchable. And then they start doing whatever they want with the lives of the people who used to look up to them.” He looked at Spike. “Celestia’s a time bomb, Spike. And if she hasn’t already gone off, then she’s pretty dang close.”

Spike looked away at that while Logan turned to continue the search. But before Spike could respond, Twilight’s voice cracked them out of their thoughts.

“I got it!” Twilight yelled, holding up ‘History of the Crystal Empire.’ “Let’s just hope it has the answers we need.”

It did. As Logan and Twilight ran to Shining and Cadence, both looked way happier than they had been when they started.

“The Crystal Faire!” Twilight read. “According to this book, it was established by their first queen, and became their most important tradition.”

Logan ran his claw over the page. “The Faire was held every year to renew the spirits of love and unity in the Empire so they could protect it from harm.” He grinned. “Everything we need to make the fair is in this book. We just need to find the Crystal Heart, place it at the center of the empire while the festival’s going on, and the love and unity of the crystal ponies will charge it like a human’s smart phone.”

“Sounds promising,” Shining said. Cadence had retaken her place in maintaining the now baby blue shield, but she managed a faint smile of acknowledgment. Though that smile caused her horn to briefly flicker. The shield itself flickered, and Twilight’s pupils shrunk as she briefly saw Sombra’s demonic visage snarling from behind the shield. Thankfully, it was gone as soon as it appeared.

“We can’t keep this up forever,” Shining said gravely. “We have to find the Crystal Heart. And soon.”

“No,” Twilight said, caressing her brother’s face, “You stay here with Cadence. She’s going to need you. I’ll retrieve the crystal heart.”

“Let’s do it,” Rainbow Dash said. As Twilight glanced at her friends, she noticed Logan, who was still giving the outside a sour look.

“Listen,” Twilight said, taking Rainbow Dash aside. “I’ve been trying to figure out how I’m meant to save this empire... and pass Celestia’s test," she added in a whisper. "Retrieving the Crystal Heart must be it. But there’s something else you and the others need to do.”

Rainbow Dash glanced over at Logan, noticing him watching them curiously. “Name it,” she said.

“You and the rest of our friends have to get the Faire going, and keep it going.”

“What?” Rainbow Dash asked in disbelief, indicating where they had seen Sombra. “With that thing moving into the Empire?”

“The whole point of the Crystal Fair is to lift the spirits of the Ponies, so they can activate the heart.”

“And?”

“If the Ponies find out that King Sombra is trying to take over again, their spirits are going to be anything but lifted. It won’t matter if I find the Crystal Heart. They won’t be able to make it work. You have to keep them happy, and that means getting the Faire going.”

Rainbow Dash didn’t look happy about it, but she still gave a salute. “Keep the Faire going and the Crystal Ponies’ spirits high. Done and Done.”

Logan gave a gruff laugh. “You’re not cutting me out on the search, Sparkle,” he said.

Rainbow Dash and Twilight stared at him. “But Logan…”

“I told you,” Logan said, “I’m not in this to be a hero.” He got closer to them. “The Crystal Heart is the only way I’m getting home, and I told you up front that’s all I care about.” He gave them a cold, if slightly scared look. “Unless we have to make this difficult?”

Twilight’s eyes darted between Shining Armor and Rainbow Dash. Both of them looked slightly betrayed, but ready to charge him. However, Logan’s fangs were bared, and she could see the first vestiges of his magic sparking in his eyes. She sighed and nodded consent.

“Fine,” Twilight said, “You and Spike will help me search for the Heart.”

As Logan backed off, causing both Shining and Rainbow Dash to relax, Twilight got up in his face.

“But I’m warning you,” she said ominously, “We need that heart to save the empire just as much as you need it to go home. And I don’t care if it’s for Celestia or the Empire; if you do anything to sabotage my mission, I will take you down.”

Logan's ear flicked. He gave her an impressed look. “I can work with that,” he said solemnly. Then he turned and walked out. Rainbow Dash and Twilight watched him go.

“A word of advice, Twi,” Rainbow Dash said, “Keep Spike close by you. I’m really not liking where he’s going with this.”

“I second that,” Shining said, “If saving the empire clashes with his goal, how are we supposed to know he’ll do the right thing?”

“More importantly,” Rainbow Dash said, “You think you can take him on alone?”

As Logan’s tail disappeared out of the throne room, Twilight once again found herself with no means of protesting.

Chapter 4: King Sombra's Greatest Weapon

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Chapter 5: The Crystal Heart

As Logan bore up his claws, lightning ready to stab into Twilight like a Sith Lord, Twilight feebly prepared a defense. Celestia and Rainbow Dash’s bodies still flashed before her mind, and Spike’s crying still somehow reached her, all overcut with the demonic laughter of King Sombra.

King Sombra…

Seconds before Twilight could say it, hesitation flared across Logan’s eyes. He faltered.

“No…” he muttered, "I wouldn’t… do this…”

“What’s the matter, whelp?” Sombra asked, “Suddenly getting cold feet about murder?”

“I…” Logan muttered.

"Logan, stop, please!” Twilight exclaimed, “He’s tricking you. None of this is real.”

Logan’s claws clenched, but lightning still flickered around them. “You’re right.”

“Don’t let her fool you, pup,” Sombra bellowed, “Finish it!”

Logan raised his arms again, and the lightning brightened. As Twilight’s heart sunk in her chest though, he gave her the tiniest of grins.

"No one controls me,” Logan snarled.

Then he blasted Twilight. Twilight felt confusion before she realized the bolt didn’t hurt.

Sombra bellowed in rage, as the entire throne room lit up in light.

Memories shot by Twilight faster than she could process them:

The time she first met her friends.

Logan howling out from a cage while in chains.

Twilight’s venture against Nightmare Moon.

Logan racing away from a burning building.

The Canterlot Wedding.

Logan being brought to Equestria.

They all flashed by in a blur, before the whole thing dissolved into light.

Twilight, Logan and Spike all screamed as they were hurled backward. They pulled themselves up, and looked around frantically. Twilight felt herself start to breathe easier as she saw they were back at the bottom of the stairwell. The door stood before them, the crystal dead and the gateway open to a room of brighter crystals. It looked as innocent as an obsidian door could look.

Spike started to pull himself up, but Twilight yanked him back from the door. Thankfully, all their eyes had returned to their proper shades.

“What… was that?” Logan stammered. They looked over to see him trembling, staring at the door like it had knives.

“King Sombra’s dark magic,” Twilight said faintly, “A doorway that leads to our worst fears.”

Logan bent down, and breathed.

“But… how did we get out of there?” Spike stammered. When Twilight looked at him curiously, he elaborated, “After you touched Logan, you both froze up and just started staring at… that…” he glanced at the door again. “I thought it was just a wall, but then…” he went closer to Twilight, hugging her. “We were home. You… let me get taken away…”

"That didn't happen," Logan said grimly.

"H-How do you know?" Spike asked.

"Sparkle's not the only one with a few tricks," Logan said, indicating his sparking claws. Twilight's face dawned in realization.

"A memory spell," she guessed. "You reviewed our memories, and found the gaps in time showing how that didn't happen?"

Logan stared at her, confused for a moment. "I guess?" he said. "I just noticed how we went from my world to Canterlot in a manner of you getting knocked out. Sombra's nightmare couldn't explain that."

Twilight rubbed the back of her mane sheepishly. "Well, yeah," she admitted. "That works too."

"Still..." Spike trembled as he looked at the door again. "It felt so... real."

“Spike, I would never let you get sent away,” Twilight promised him, holding him close. “Just as I’m not going to fail the Empire.” She looked over at Logan, “And…”

“Don’t,” Logan said, looking away. “I've been keeping myself going on false hope. I don't need yours.”

“It’s not false hope,” Twilight said, determined. “We’re finding the Crystal Heart. And we’re not just going to save the Empire.” She touched him softly. “We’re going to get you home.” As he looked back, she grinned softly, “And your pack will be waiting for you.”

Logan's eyes narrowed, and he nodded.

With her team reformed, Twilight turned back to the door, and they cautiously stepped through the gateway, ready to jump back in case another nightmare began.

“Is it… safe?” Spike asked, trying to look past Logan. “What’s in there?”

Twilight sighed, as she took in the light blue staircase snaking up the exterior of the tower.

“Stairs,” she replied, “Lots and lots of stairs.”

“Well,” Logan said, shaking himself off, “No use moaning about it.” He hopped onto the first set.

Back outside, the Crystal Faire was still in full swing. Above them, Cadence limped out to the balcony, Shining struggling with her as their shield faltered under Sombra’s assault.

“Twilight,” Cadence whimpered, as several buildings began to turn black, “Please hurry.”

Twilight and Spike panted and heaved as they trekked up the stairs, Logan easily ten paces ahead of them.

“What if this is just more of his magic?” Spike asked, “He makes a door that leads you to your worst nightmare. Why not a staircase that goes on forever?”

Logan laughed from above them, making it to eleven paces ahead. “You two are easily the laziest heroes I’ve ever seen,” Logan crowed, “Come on; it’s not that bad.”

Twilight grimaced, but then a devious smirk came to her features. “Spike,” she said, “Hold onto me.”

“Uh… okay?” Spike mumbled. As he held onto Twilight, she flared her horn, and her devious smirk widened into a full-on smile as her body suddenly fell upward.

Logan’s smug grin turned into a look of shock as Twilight and Spike hit the smoother underside of the staircase, and began sliding upward like the thing was a massive slide. Twilight waved cheekily to Logan as they easily passed by him.

Logan cursed as he raced after them, though he couldn’t hide the wag of his tail as he shook his head in respect. Spike laughed as the wolf fell behind before turning to Twilight, who was whooping in glee.

“I actually studied gravity spells,” Twilight stated to Spike, “Thinking it might be on my test. Turns out I was prepared for this!” She raised her hooves and whooped again as they slid their way to victory.

Outside, Applejack’s smile completely faltered. None of the Crystal Ponies looked happy anymore. They were all whimpering and moaning, looking around desperately for the Crystal Heart. On the outskirts, the sky was growing darker and darker by the minute, Sombra’s green eyes staring hungrily into the holes in the shield. And on the castle balcony, Shining broke off from maintaining the shield, looking at his wife helplessly as she fainted into his forelegs.

Rarity managed to squeeze her way through the rapidly thickening crowd. “Excuse me, pardon me,” she said with a nervous laugh before reaching Applejack. As soon as she reached her, her nervous laughter turned into a worried hiss.

“I’m running out of materials for the traditional crafts booth!” She indicated a mare wearing one of the oddest hats ever. “I just made a hat out of three pieces of hay and a drinking straw.” For a moment, she paused and admired her work. “I made it work,” she added before returning to worried on a dime. “But still!”

“We gotta do everything we can to keep this thing goin’,” Applejack whispered sternly, “The Princess isn’t looking too good. I can’t imagine her magic is gonna last much longer.” She glanced up at Shining and Cadence before noticing the worried expressions of her friends.

“Hey, it’s gonna be fine,” Applejack said out loud, “These ponies are gonna power up that Crystal Heart when the time comes, and we won’t be needing her magic anyway.”

“I sure hope that time comes soon,” Pinkie Pie said, bouncing by on a ball while juggling flugelhorns. “Even I can keep this party going forever.” That was when she slipped on her ball. With a shriek, her flugelhorns went flying, and one of them smacked the fake Crystal heart right from its pedestal. It shattered into a million pieces.

Silent dread filled the air as the crystal ponies took in the sight of the destroyed fake heart.

“This…” one of them stammered, “T-This isn’t the Crystal Heart!”

Rarity laughed nervously. “Oh, of course it isn’t,” she said, “The real one… is…”

“On its way,” Applejack intercut.

Rarity glared at her. “I was going to say ‘being polished,’” she hissed, “To buy us more time.”

Applejack covered her mouth. “Oops.”

Suddenly, thunder boomed overhead. Worried whispers began to turn into shrieks as a familiar laughter echoed over the landscape.

“It’s him!” several of the crystal ponies shrieked.

Twilight and Spike reached the top of the tower, Twilight deactivating her spell with a flick of her horn. Mere seconds later, Logan raced up after them, his tongue lolling as he wheezed and panted for breath.

“Tired, buddy?” Spike asked with a grin.

Logan wheezed at first. “Not… even… close,” he got out.

But Twilight didn’t turn to her companions. Her eyes were on the center of the tower, where the resplendent, light blue Crystal Heart sat floating above a wide circular disc.

“We did it,” Twilight said, “The Crystal Heart.”
Logan’s panting died down as he took in the sight. “It’s more beautiful than I imagined,” he said softly.

Twilight glanced at him, and then started towards the Heart. But the second she stepped onto the disc, things went wrong.

The disc flashed like some sort of alarm. Outside, the smoky trail turned to them, green eyes flashing in anger.

Logan and Spike yelped as a beam of black energy shot right for Twilight.

“Twilight/Sparkle, look out!” they both yelled. But as they both lunged for her, the beam of black magic hit the disk, and spiky obsidian shot up around them. Twilight grabbed the heart and jumped for an exit, but the obsidian grew too fast, and knocked the heart right out of her hooves. As the obsidian completely surrounded Twilight, Spike and Logan were knocked to opposite sides of the tower. And the Crystal Heart fell...

...Right into Logan’s claws.

Twilight briefly tried to teleport out, only for her to reappear right back in her cage. She bucked at the obsidian in anger.

“The heart,” she yelled, “Where’s the Crystal…?”

Through a hole in the obsidian, she saw where it had landed. As Logan pulled himself up, he had an odd look in his eyes, as if the Heart was hypnotizing him.

“Logan?” she asked.

He barely looked up at her. “I…” he said, “I got it.” He looked back down at the heart, which pulsed in his grip. “I really… actually got it.”

“Yes. You do,” A familiar, slithering voice echoed through the obsidian. “Well done, Lone Wolf of Equestria.”

Logan tensed. “How does he…?”

“Logan, do not listen to him!” Twilight protested.

“He’s trying to manipulate you!” Spike yelled, but obsidian blocked his path.

“I have seen your nightmares,” Sombra continued, his voice circling Logan like a vulture, “I have tasted your wrath. I know what it is you seek.”

Logan gritted his teeth, and tried to turn away from the dark king.

“Be warned,” Sombra continued, “If you let them use the Heart to defeat me, its power will be forfeit. You have only one chance to use it to get back home.”

Logan looked up. “Bull,” he snarled.

“See for yourself,” Sombra tempted, “Use your magic. I know you can. Focus on those you love so dearly. And the Heart will respond to you.”

Logan looked down at the heart again, as it pulsated in his grip.

“Logan,” Twilight begged, “Don’t.”

But despite her please, Logan’s eyes began to glow.

“I don’t have much left,” he whispered, “My parents… My uncles…” He gave a ragged breath. “Carol…” He almost hugged the Heart. “I’d give anything to see them again.”

The Heart responded. As his lightning flickered around it, it’s glow brightened. A portal started to appear. But at the same time, the heart trembled in his grip. It began to vibrate with an intensity that made Twilight’s heart race. She wasn’t sure if the Heart could survive Logan’s spell.

“Logan!” Twilight screamed, slamming against the obsidian.

“You have to get out of there, Twilight!” Spike exclaimed, as Logan began to glow along with the portal. “You have to be the one to get the Heart. If you don’t, you’ll fail Celestia’s test.”

“Test?” Logan snarled, glancing back at them. “That’s still all you care about?” He turned away from Twilight. “Screw it.”

“No!” Twilight begged. “Logan, please!” But the wolf didn’t turn to her. An ominous cracking sound was emanating from the Heart, but Logan’s glow was brightening. He was almost impossible to look at. Sombra chuckled darkly as Twilight raced around the obsidian cage, frantically thinking. Finally, she looked over at Spike. He was only protected by a wall; a wall he could easily climb over.

Spike! The panic faded from her by a fraction.

“Spike,” she said, “You have to be the one to get the Crystal Heart back.”

“Me?” Spike stammered, “But…”

“This is why I brought you,” Twilight said, “This is what you are here to do.” She glanced over as another cracking sound emanated. “Now go.”

“But…!”

“GO!” Twilight shrieked.

Spike bit back a curse and jumped over the wall. Obsidian didn’t grow in his path; Sombra didn’t even seem to care about him. Shrieking sounded from below, but Logan didn’t hear it. His eyes – pure orbs of gold – widened as time and space itself split around him.

“Logan, wait!” Spike yelled. As Logan turned to him, one of his free claws baring, Spike stopped, keeping his hands up. “If you use the Heart to get back home, you’ll break it. You’ll leave this empire defenseless. Thousands of ponies are going to suffer!”

Logan didn’t stop. It was almost like trying to look at the sun now. The Crystal Heart was cracking. It was seconds away from shattering!

Spike raised his voice. “You said that you hated Celestia because of her power. Well, you’re letting Sombra get the exact same thing!”

Logan paused at that. His glow dimmed. The Crystal Heart’s vibration lowered to a bearable level.

“Maybe Celestia is hard to deal with,” Spike said, “Maybe she is a time bomb. But if she’s close, Sombra is a time bomb that has gone off and is trying to hurt everything around him. Sombra would make it obvious that we were enslaved. Sombra would make it clear that you were a prisoner. Sombra would overthrow Celestia, enslave Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie… every pony.” He paused, “Just like what happened in that doorway.”

Logan’s glow dimmed even further, even as he looked down at the Heart instead of at Spike.

“I don’t know what it’s like to have another... pack,” Spike said, desperately. “Twilight is the only pack I’ve ever had. I wish you could go back to your own, but please… don’t let it be at the cost of mine.”

Logan stood there for the longest time. The heart pumped frantically in his hands, it’s glow a pure golden. Logan looked down at it, a whimper of sorrow escaping his lips.

Twilight wisely kept her mouth shut, both hooves pressed over her mouth as she watched, hoping against hope that Logan could make an impossible choice.

To choose saving an Empire over reuniting with his loved ones.

Logan bowed his head. “Forgive me…” he said quietly.

Chapter 6: The End... For Now

The crystal ponies were at the Crystal Heart centerpiece in throes now. The nervous chatter had turned into a buzz like an oncoming swarm of bees.

“Now, don’t ya’ll worry yer pretty little Crystal heads,” Applejack said nervously, “The real Crystal Heart will be here any second.”

Rarity jumped to her side. “I don’t know if they believe you,” she whispered as the drone got louder.

“I don’t know if I believe me,” Applejack admitted softly.

Then, as lightning crackled across the sky, Cadence finally fell, limp, and the last vestiges of magic drained from her horn. The shield faded away.

“He’s back!” one of the ponies shrieked, “I can’t take it anymore!” She raced away screaming, only to run into a block of obsidian. She looked up as the smoke condensed and reformed into a familiar unicorn with black fur, silver and black armor and a red and white cape.

“My crystal slaves,” King Sombra purred, “Bow before your king. Your last hope has been extinguished.”

“Hey!” a voice called, “Up here!”

Everyone looked up. Rarity’s eyes narrowed.

“Spike?” she asked.

But what was more important was the glowing blue heart clutched in the little dragon's claws.

“I got it!” Spike exclaimed, “I got the crystal heart!”

“What?!”

Realization slowly dawned on Sombra’s face, and he let out a bellow of wordless rage. He fired a beam of black magic that hit the ground below Spike’s feet. The little dragon was hurled off the tower, the heart slipping from his grip.

“Spikey-wikey!” Rarity shrieked as he tumbled through the air. Her call was nearly drowned out as the other ponies wailed in fear.

But as Spike and the Heart fell to their apparent doom, Cadence’s eyes opened again. She and Shining shared a mutual look, and Shining picked her up as her wings unfurled. As Sombra closed in on the Heart, his teeth bared in anticipation, Shining hurled Cadence like a spear.

Mere seconds before the heart fell into Sombra’s grip, a flash of pink and blue shot by Sombra’s vision. And instead of the Heart and Spike falling towards him, he found himself staring at a very angry wolf plummeting towards him like a missile, his jaws open as he bellowed in rage. As the unicorn collided with the wolf, Logan’s teeth sunk into Sombra’s snout, nearly tearing half his face into smoke and mist. The dark unicorn and the wolf tumbled right off the obsidian tower, Logan slashing and biting in a furious frenzy.

Cadence, meanwhile, banked in the air and flew back towards the centerpiece. As she neared the centerpiece, the crystal ponies began to rejoice.

“Behold!” one of them exclaimed, “The Crystal Princess.”

She landed among them, right on top of the shards of the fake heart.

“The Crystal Heart has returned,” Cadence declared firmly, “Use the light and love within you to ensure that King Sombra does not.”

Logan yelped as he was hurled into a wall of obsidian. The King blasted an additional spear of the dark rock at him. Logan screamed as the dark rock pierced his shoulder, pinning him to the wall.

“How DARE you disappoint me,” Sombra growled, “I give you opportunity. The chance to have everything you ever wanted. And you throw it away?!”

Sombra prepared to blast Logan again. But the wolf ripped his arm free, obsidian and all, and cracked it across Sombra’s head. With Logan leaping back onto the King, Cadence was able to toss the Heart into the center piece. The snowflake pattern in the center of the castle glowed a bright blue, and two vertical crystal spires came together, holding the heart in place.

The crystal ponies changed, their coats glistening like jewels as they bowed to Cadence. Blue light spread through the street of the empire.

Sombra noticed as he held Logan’s teeth back from his throat, yelling as the blue light spread under his hooves.

“No!” He declared. He kicked Logan away and tried to run for the centerpiece, only for Logan to drag him back down. “NO! STOP!”

But Logan valiantly held him back, and as the Crystal Heart spun in its place, the light retracted and concentrated, generating a sphere of light that exploded outward, engulfing the empire. As Cadence, Spike, Shining Armor, and the Mane Six all gained the crystalized colors of the ponies, Logan and Sombra were blasted back.

Sombra gave one final wail of agony before he exploded, his horn flying into the snow as the rest of him scattered like glass from a shattered mirror. As for Logan, the obsidian in his arm curled away into ash, and he hit the ground on his back, his fur crystalized as the others. The light continued out past them, driving back the obsidian, Sombra’s black clouds, and causing the crystals to shine like diamonds. White light shot up from the castle’s base to the top crystal, and it fired a ribbon of energy into the sky.

With one final, ground-shaking blast of blue light above the empire, the dark clouds and skies vanished, with the ribbon of energy becoming an aura borealis visible all the way from Canterlot.

As Celestia took in the sight, she crossed her horn with Luna’s.

“She did it,” Celestia whispered.

“I suppose… he helped as well,” Luna asked.

Celestia’s smile faded. “Perhaps,” she said. “But, I know one way to find out.”

“I do so wish it was permanent,” Rarity exclaimed as the now normally colored ponies walked the streets of the Empire. “Did you see how my mane just absolutely sparkled?”

“Well,” Applejack said, “Good things are better when they’re a… rarity,” she said with a wink.

Rarity giggled.

“I’m just glad everything turned out okay,” Shining Armor said, glancing at Twilight with a grin, “You really have to stop saving my rump like this. It’s starting to get embarrassing.”

Twilight grinned softly. “It wasn’t me who saved you in the end.” She glanced over at Spike. “It was Spike.”

Spike grinned at the compliment, but then glanced further down the road. “It wasn’t just me, either,” he noted.

The others looked up, and their ears flattened. Logan was standing near the now secured Crystal Heart. Aside from a tear in his jacket, he looked uninjured. His ears were flat, though, and his tail was tucked.

“Sombra spoke to us,” Twilight said. “He told Logan that he could only use the Crystal Heart’s power before it saved the Empire.” As she watched Logan glumly turn away from the Heart, she added, “It looks like he was right.”

“Oh, poor Logan,” Rarity bemoaned.

“I would ‘a though he’d have used the Heart to beam himself home.”

“He almost did,” Spike said, “It would’ve taken the Crystal Heart, or destroyed it if he succeeded.” Spike looked down. “I… was scared for a second that he was going to just leave us.”

“But he didn’t,” Twilight said, smiling at Spike, “You got through to him, and he made a choice that saved all of us. And that’s what matters.”

As Logan turned away, he noticed the group. Twilight walked over to him.

“Logan…” she smiled softly, “Thank you. You really helped us…”

Her voice faded as Logan walked past her. “Fat lot of good your gratitude does me,” he said bitterly.

Twilight glanced at the others, and then back at Logan as he limped away.

“Wait,” Rarity yelled, “Wherever are you going?”

“North,” Logan said, “There’s another nation north of here; Yakyakistan. I got someone down there; owes me a favor.” He grinned sadly back at them. “They probably won’t have anything like that heart, but… it pays to check.”

Rainbow Dash tilted her head. “So,” she asked, “Do you… regret helping us?”

Logan didn't even hesitate.

“No. No, I don’t regret it.” He chuckled. “Not much to regret about finally getting praised for biting a monarch.”

Applejack and Rainbow Dash shared faint grins as the memory of Logan smashing Sombra returned to them, but Twilight didn’t share in their merriment.

“Please,” she said, “We’re all really grateful for the sacrifice you made.”

“I’m sure you are,” he replied, “But my pack’s still waiting for me.” As he turned away, he added, “Hopefully.”

Twilight flinched, remembering what they experienced in Sombra’s chambers.

“I’m gonna get back to them,” he said, “One way or another.” With that, he limped away.

As Twilight tried to go after him, her ear twitched. She turned, noticing a speck of light on the horizon, which grew brighter as it arrived. With a gasp, Twilight recognized Princess Celestia herself.

“Oh, no…” Twilight whimpered. “The test… I…”

“Twily,” Shining said comfortingly, “It’s just a test. She’ll let you retake it.”

As Celestia landed and trotted over to her, Twilight shook her head, as the memory of the Celestia in Sombra’s nightmare came back to her. “I don’t…” she started to say, before Celestia landed before them, looking about the Empire with awe.

“You know,” Celestia noted, “My experience with the Crystal Empire truly is limited.” She smiled at the sparkling buildings. “I forgot just how beautiful this place really is.”

Twilight bowed her head. “I wish it had been me who made it so.” She gave Celestia a cautious as she added, “But it wasn’t.”

Celestia gave Twilight a long look, her eyes briefly darting up to the others. Shining and Spike clutched each other’s limbs, while Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie paced fitfully in the background. Celestia closed her eyes with a smile.

“Twilight,” Celestia began. “As I understand, Spike got the Crystal Heart from Logan because you weren’t sure Logan would listen to you. You didn’t force the wolf to conform to your needs, and you weren’t willing to risk the future of the citizens of the Crystal Empire in an effort to guarantee your own future.” As Twilight looked up, her ears lifted and her eyes widened. “Far better that I have a student who understands the meaning of cooperation and self-sacrifice… than one who only looks out for her own best interests.”

Twilight held back a gasp. “Does this mean…?”

“Of course, you passed,” Celestia said happily. Though, her smile faded as she noticed Twilight’s expression didn’t brighten.
“W-Well,” she said, stammering as if she wasn’t sure whether to say it or not, “I-I mean… well… I’m happy that I passed but…” She bit her lip. “P-Princess, if I may… did… well, did you… um… how did you know about Spike and Logan?”
Celestia paused, hesitating.

"H-How did you..." Twilight stammered. "Did you... Were you willing to sacrifice everyone in the empire... just to test me?"

Twilight flinched before she could finish, as if she expected to get hit. Slowly, realization dawned, and Celestia’s ears flattened in sadness.

“I take it the Lone Wolf had much more to say about me, didn’t he?” she asked.

Twilight just whimpered, her head down in frustration and conflict. Applejack went to her side, resting a hoof on her shoulder.

"He made a buncha claims," Applejack said, careful to keep her voice neutral. "Shed a bit more light on what princesses and the like are... well, like, back where he comes from."

Celestia just sighed.

“Is he still here?”

The mares and stallion glanced at each other.

“He said that he was going to Yakyakistan,” Rainbow Dash said.

“He was heading out, but he might still be on the borders, if we hurry,” Fluttershy offered.

Celestia nodded. “Please,” she asked, nodding to Fluttershy. “Take me to him.”

Fluttershy’s wings flared, her eyes wide in shock, but with Twilight still mumbling and fidgeting, combined with an approving look from Applejack, Fluttershy swallowed her fear and nodded, heading towards where Logan had walked off.

Celestia followed behind her, dread building on her face. Part of her almost hoped that he was gone. But another part was hopeful. Curious as to whether his actions with the empire and his travels had possibly softened his heart towards her.

She got her answer soon enough, as Fluttershy led her towards the borders of the empire, they saw him, making his way for the snow.

“Logan!” Fluttershy called. The wolf looked back, his ears flaring at the sight of the princess. Celestia tapped her hoof awkwardly on the grass, before shuffling forward.

“Logan Wolfe,” she said, her tone partially hopeful.

He turned away, and trekked into the snow. Celestia’s ears flattened, and she sighed sadly. She had him to thank for saving the Empire, but it seemed time - and being a hero - had done nothing to ease his bitterness towards her after all.

Author's Note

And that is the end of the Crystal Empire arc. Don't worry, this isn't the end of Logan's story. :raritywink:
Expect the next chapter tomorrow in the new story: Lone Wolf of Equestria; Back to the Pack.

Thank you guys again for reading, and I look forward to hearing what you thought. :twilightsmile: