The Cutie Mark Crusaders were on the upswing of an errand they had to do. Applejack and Big Macintosh were busy doing their own tasks in preparation for the event going on that night. As did the rest of the Mane 6.
Since earning their marks, the fillies had decided to take on more responsibilities. Applejack wanted to come along to act as an escort, but was told to lay off.
The three were working together to pull a cart with an almost comically large keg on it. Within, they were assured, was some of the finest cider this side of Sweet Apple Acres. The keg itself was also covered in runes, some visible, others not. The keg was spelled to stop all incoming harm -to an extent-, to carry more than it usually could - around 50 gallons extra, as a matter of fact-, and various other enchantments. All they needed to do was get it to the train station, load it up, and then they could get on at the same time! It was quite convenient, that way.
With one of the pullers being an earth pony, the task was easy enough.
While on the way, a pink pegasus filly came over and asked if she could go with them. "After all." she said, "It's more fun when you're with company. Safer, too."
The crusaders shared a look before nodding. Apple Bloom said, "Ah don' see why not."
"Yeah!" Scootaloo said, "Come on!"
Sweetie Belle felt that something was off, but disregarded that, for now. She looked innocent enough. And when she also volunteered to help pull the cart, Sweetie figured it was just her imagination. "What's your name?" she asked that, at least.
"My name is... Corazón." she replied. "Just call me Cora."
Anyway, as the four approached the train station, the manager noticed them pulling the cart. "Ah! You kids are just in time! I take it that's for the celebration? It's Princess Cadence's birthday, you know." he said. "Bring that over here; we'll take it from here. Good job, the lot of you."
As a few of the loaders did just that with the preserved refreshment, the four fillies got on the train themselves.
As they got off the train, a few loaders from this station were unloading the liquid gold to take to the palace. As they were on their way, the fillies got to making small talk about how excited they were for the celebration. Cora seemed especially excited. Not nearly to the extent of a certain other pink pony, of course, but cracked the top five, at least.
Either way, as they walked, nopony noticed a black airship approaching the cliffside capital.
When the four got there, the celebration was in full swing. Ponies were dancing, eating, talking, playing the occasional game... all for the princess's birthday! The four of them took a look at the spread that had been laid out. Pies, fritters, fish -for those who were of the winged variety, mostly-, devilled eggs, cakes, muffins, vegetables, salad, and much, much more!
Fun was had by all, and all that had to happen before things really kicked off with Princess Cadence's appearance! Sure enough, the first to come on stage were Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. The solar princess was the first to speak up.
"My Little Ponies, it is wonderful to see you all here before us. I'm ever so grateful for all those of you who fill all the different roles of this world, from the most humble farmer to the nobility here in Canterlot. Though... I'd be lying if I said that the title of the latter matches their demeanour, quite often." Everypony had a chuckle at that, except a certain few among the called out nobles.
She continued, "Anyway, I am glad that all of you are here to celebrate the birthday of our niece, the co-ruler of the Crystal Empire, Princess of love, the Crystal Princess and... holder of many titles besides, Mi Amore Cadenza!"
The sound of hooves pounding the floor was practically deafening, as the audience displayed their approval.
As Celestia moved to one side, Cadence walked through the curtain onto the stage. "Thank you, everypony." she briefly turned to her aunt, "And thank you for the intro, auntie." she said. "It's been a while now, since my husband and I started to rule the Crystal Empire; Several years now, if I'm correct. Yet it seems like only yesterday that Sombra was ghosting around the border of the city. Naturally, we all know who to thank for solving that, am I right?"
The Mane 6 and Spike showed various reactions as the attention of several ponies landed on them. Fluttershy meeped, Applejack and Twilight blushed, Rainbow Dash and Spike struck a pose, Rarity fiddled with her mane, and Pinkie just grinned widely.
"Anyway," Cadence continued, "That's all I have to say. Enjoy yourselves!" she said as the ponies began to do just that.
However, dark fog started to flow into the room. Through the door, several armour-clad creatures stepped through. They moved practically as one, and lined the entrance, effectively blocking it off.
Except for the last one to step in. His armour was black like obsidian, like a hole in the earth, so deep that you couldn't ever get out. (1)
The guards tried to block the way, but could tell already that they were outclassed, despite their recent training. At least they could buy some time.
Celestia spread her wings, an instinctive action to make herself look more imposing. "What. Do. You want." she said, pretty much like a statement.
The dark-armoured warrior didn't speak, but turned his head toward Cadence.
Luna stepped forward as well. "Oh, We think not. You'll need to get past us first." She sent a telepathic message to Twilight and her friends, 'Take Cadence and escape, while you can. Take the stairs toward the vault; there should be a way out on the way.'
Twilight nodded and signalled to her friends to come along. When she tried to touch Cadence, to get her attention, her hoof passed through her leg.
'An illusion?' she thought. 'So the real Cadence isn't even here? Better keep up appearances. Two can play at that.' She quickly did some mental gymnastics and shortly had the illusory Cadence following after, acting as if it were the genuine article.
The crusaders and Cora naturally followed, figuring that wherever they were going had to be safer than where they were.
As the 10 ponies (and one illusion) dashed down the stairs, they encountered enemy scouts, who immediately attacked. Individually, they were only mildly troublesome to take down, with the mane 6 working in tandem. A headshot here, a tackle there, an occasional magical projectile from Twilight or Rarity.
Eventually they got to the entrance to the vault. Each path to the surface had already been compromised. They had nowhere else to run. Twilight released the illusory Cadence, to nearly everypony's surprise.
"Wait, WHAT?!" Rainbow Dash said, "So... we've been protecting an illusion all this time?!"
"Not quite." Twilight said. "The real Cadence..." she looked toward the four fillies, "Is right there."
Cora looked embarassed. "Fine. You got me." She released her disguise spell and standing before the other ponies was the leggy pink princess herself. First things first, Twilight and Cadence cantered toward each other, stopping about three hooves away.
Sunshine, sunshine!
Ladybugs awake!
Clap your hooves,
And do a little shake!
Their greeting ritual done with, they entered the vault together. Cadence explained that she'd disguised herself as Cora and that enabled her to get to Ponyville without anypony being the wiser. As for why these knights were after her, she couldn't say.
As they reached the back of the vault, there sat what seemed to be a minotaur's suit of armour... Only about the size of a two storey building, if it stood up! Possibly a good chunk of the basement, too!
Twilight gawked at it in amazement. "Wow. I've heard of these things. I think it's called an... Incorruptus, I believe. Ancient Taurian weapons; powerful. They house mighty spirits, who will grant their power to worthy warriors. That or the ancient Taurians were VERY tall. Possibly both."
Apple Bloom felt a strange attraction to the Incorruptus. As if it was calling out to her.
Suddenly, what appeared to be a giant beetle(2) burst into the room, roaring a challenge to any that dared oppose it. It was about as big as the userless armour!
Apple Bloom took on a determined look and rushed toward the seated knight.
"Apple Bloom! Y'all come back, now! This here thang could be dangerous!" her sister warned.
"Way Ah sees it," Apple Bloom returned, "We take a chance an' maybe die, or do nothin' an' DEFINITELY die! If'n it means taking the risk, Ah'm willin' ta do it." she boldly declared, putting one hoof to the seated goliath.
Oh, thee who would'st wield my power... a disembodied voice said, seemingly everywhere and nowhere at once.
Apple Bloom found herself in a circular chamber. Before her appeared what looked like a knight with the appropriate shining armour, though some pieces seemed to be missing.
"Where IS this?" she thought aloud.
This place is an extension of mine self, and thou art an extension of thy will. Thou who would'st wield my power... Needs must thee proveth thyself worthy to gain mine strength. I am the essence of Wizel, the White Warrior. If thou would'st prove thy mettle... then fight me!
Apple Bloom braced herself, concentrating on all of what she'd learned over the years. Karate with Rainbow Dash; Apple bucking and Hoofball with her sister. Her (mis)adventures with her friends. From each experience, she'd grown stronger.
Now it was time to prove it.
"Bring it!" she half-growled, boldly.
Wizel sped forth, drawing a blade from his side. Apple Bloom dodged just in time, almost getting a wound on the first shot. She spun around and kicked with both hind legs, sending her opponent sliding back a distance.
He struck again, dealing her a glancing -yet painful- blow. Her next move was to start to pronk around the room, hoping to catch Wizel off-guard, or at least make it harder for him to hit her.
When he swept with his blade again, she hopped and landed on the blade before flipping and striking again, connecting with the spirit's face. Being an Earth Pony, this naturally hurt more than you'd expect from a filly her age, sending Wizel into a wall.
Taking the opportunity presented to her, she leapt forward, landing on the spirit's chest with all four hooves, pushing him further into the wall.
'Enough!' his disembodied voice said, again everywhere and nowhere. 'Thou art stronger than I gaveth thee credit for. So be it! My power is thine. To call upon it-'
Apple Bloom found herself back in the vault, a gauntlet/buckler combo with a dagger on her right foreleg. An incantation came to her mind.
Cadence's horn glowed briefly, her eyes turning white for a split second as the chains binding the Incorruptus into a sitting position released.
Apple Bloom's eyes turned a greenish blue, then a solid white as she began to invoke her newfound power. She stood on her hind legs, drawing the dagger and holding the shield-glove before her. Thus settled, she incanted, without a hint of her southern accent. "Oh, Wizel; White Warrior, wielder of the ancient sword, grant me your strength, that we may protect this land together! I summon you! VERTO!" So saying, she sheathed the blade, activating the spell.
The titanic suit of armour stood by itself, Apple Bloom rising and phasing into its chest. Its eyes began to glow the same colour as hers did a moment before. "We are the White Knight!" two united voices echoed throughout the room. "Those who dare threaten our home, step forth, if thou hast the gall!" they boasted.
The monster roared again as battle was joined. The knight drew its blade and struck at the same time as the creature, dealing its left leg a fair blow. Taking its opponent's staggering as an opportunity, slashing it across the back.
The creature retaliated with a swipe of its horn. The knight summoned an ethereal shield, reflecting most of the damage. The knight's next slash was devastating, cutting the monster's horn off completely. As the moster rushed forward, attempting to ram the knight, it sheathed its blade and held out its hands, managing to slow its opponent to a halt. With some effort, the knight lifted the monster into the air and slammed it down onto its back. Drawing its blade again, the knight charged its sword with magic, then gripped it with both hands. "Heaven's Wrath!" the knight shouted as the blade glowed, before slicing the monster cleanly in half, causing it to disappear.
Kneeling down, the knight also dissipated, revealing a tired Apple Bloom, who fainted immediately afterward.
Suddenly, the black knight came in the door, using its magic to blast eight of the other ponies aside. The being spoke for the first time. "You are coming with us, Princess Cadence. Whether you like it or not."
Cadence took a defensive stance, horn ablaze. "And how do you intend to force me to?" she said, charging her horn.
The black knight actually chuckled at that. "You misunderstand. We only need part of you." he said. Casting a dark spell, he entrapped Cadence in a force field, using another forbidden magic to split the princess into three separate bodies, Unicorn, Pegasus and Earth Pony.(3) Throwing the Unicorn version over his shoulders, the black knight told his followers, "We have what we came for. Let's go."
Most of the ponies awakened shortly thereafter, all with pounding headaches. When they did, they realized that the black knight was gone, and that the princesses would want a report on this.
Over in the corner lay Apple Bloom, still unconscious and drained from the fight as well as the first use of her newfound power.
Most notably, however, her Cutie Mark had changed, to display a pearl-white shield and sword.
Author's Note
1: cookie for those who get that reference.
2: In this case, those of you who play Dauntless, imagine the Valomyr's big brother.
3: For those who have played Masters of Anima, Cadence has just been Sundered. Appropriately, the pony races conveniently define the Mind (Unicorns) the Heart (Pegasi; Remember that Cadence started as a Pegasus and only a pegasus could have gathered the ingredients for the Love Poison in Hearts and Hooves Day) and the Body (Earth Ponies, having a connection to the... well, earth beneath them). All of which are represented unified in an Alicorn.
