Cadance The Crystal Princess

Crystal Empire

The wondrous glow of the moon weaved its way throughout the shimmering crystalline structures of the Crystal Empire, illuminating Luna’s night sky. The stars twinkled down onto the planet’s surface, the far away celestial bodies forming complex and fascinating patterns which ponies and creatures loved to discover and map, with many crystal bat ponies seeing the night as beautiful and amazing.

But for Radiant Hope, the night was anything but peaceful. Hidden away in a narrow alley, she paced anxiously, back and forth, her mind racing through every possible plan to reach the Crystal Heart. So far, though, none of her ideas had succeeded.

The crystal unicorn had tried waiting out for the guards and patrols to switch shifts, but both guards and patrols haven't switched shifts yet and she overheard that the switch shift was very quick and fast, leaving her no time to even run past the guards without getting caught.

Another idea was to try to persuade the guards to let her pass by lying about her being an advisor, but that was dashed by Hope when the real advisor walked toward the palace while pushing a large package and the Crystal Imperial guards used their magic to scan her to check if he was lying or if the package contained any threats before letting him passed while being guided by two guards.

Her third idea had fallen apart just as quickly. The crystal unicorn had considered sneaking in through the shadows but quickly realized that the Crystal Imperial guards were too vigilant, their routes and patterns crafted to cover every possible angle, leaving her with no opening.

Frustrated, Hope sank against the cold, crystalline wall, exhaling sharply. Each failure only added to her desperation, a mounting reminder of the stakes and the danger she was risking.

'This isn’t working. There has to be a way past them without drawing attention...' The crystal unicorn frustratedly thought as she placed her forehooves on her head.

A distant clatter snapped Hope out of her thoughts, and Hope shrank further into the shadows as two Crystal Imperial guards passed by, deep in conversation.

"So, what do you want to do after the shift switched?" A crystal stallion changeling guard asked his fellow guard.

A crystal mare unicorn guard sighed, rubbing her face with a hoof while tapping the ground with one of her hindhooves. "Not sure, but I'm definitely getting a shower after this. By Crystal, this whole guarding the Crystal Heart is exhausting with all patrolling and guarding the heart. I mean, who will be foolish and stupid enough to steal the Crystal Heart?"

The crystal changeling guard shook his head with a slight chuckle. "Well, you never know. Precautions are what keep the Heart safe."

The crystal unicorn guard rolled her eyes, only to be interrupted by a pair of Crystal Imperial guards approaching toward them—a crystal bat pony and a crystal hippogriff.

The four guards saluted at each other and relaxed before the crystal bat pony addressed. "Maxilla, Strawberry Dusk! Time to switch shifts. Go and get some rest; we’ll take it from here until the next cycle."

The unicorn guard, now identified as Strawberry Dusk, heaved a sigh of relief and tilted her head back. "Ah, finally! Now I can go and take a shower." She responded before turning and trotting back to her home.

The two guards arched eyebrow at the unicorn guard while the changeling guard, now identified as Maxilla, just shrugged his shoulders before he made his way back to his house and his family.

The crystal unicorn waited until the four figures disappeared around the corner, her mind now whirring with a new plan.

'Maybe I don't need to sneak past when I can just disguise myself as a guard.' Hope thought, a glimmer of hope rekindling in her chest.

The crystal unicorn moved out of the alleyway, glancing from left to right before following the unicorn guard.

'Just hang in there, Sombra. I will have the Crystal Heart back to you soon.' Hope mentally thought as she tailed Strawberry Dusk.

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Klugetown

"And then we have the Desert Mirage University, a campus where scholars, explorers, and learners from across Equis can learn many new things." Mayor Capper gestured a paw at a sprawling campus with sand-colored stone towers, domes, and arches that mimic desert canyons with the main lecture halls are designed with large, open-air courtyards, allowing a natural breeze to cool the spaces.

"Lots of ponies and creatures who migrated to this town have been studying there to learn more about the town and its civilisation." Ambassador Silver Quill , walking beside the mayor, added.

Princess Twilight Sparkle smiled as the group walked along the street, Captain Tempest and the guards following behind the princess while guarding and Flash Sentry and Spike at her sides.

"Excellent to hear that, Mayor Capper." The Princess of Friendship responded to the mayor. "What else is new?"

The ambassador placed a hoof under his chin. "Well, other than the library, restaurants and the university, Klugetown had been issued with a military base. Many of the guards had also stationed around the ports and bays, as well as the streets of the town."

As if to prove Silver's words, a patrol of nine guards—three Royal Guards, three Elite Royal Guards and three Crystal Imperial guards, emerged from the corner of the building opposite from the group and walked the opposite direction.

"Well, that's good to know. Though Captain Tempest would want to see the base herself." Twilight stated, glancing back at the captain with a knowing look.

Tempest gave the Princess of Friendship a knowing smile. "Yes, that would be wise."

Both Capper and Silver nodded their head in agreement. "Very well, Captain Tempest. Follow us. The base is just near one of the bay." The ambassador gestured the group to follow him and the mayor to the destination.

The group followed Capper and Silver for two full minutes before arriving at the destination.

The military base came into view, its structure impressive and formidable against the desert landscape. High stone walls, reinforced with steel and enchanted to repel magical intrusions, encircled the perimeter. Guard towers stood at each corner, occupied by sharp-eyed sentries equipped with crossbows and enchanted scopes for surveillance. The base, designed with strategic precision, was a testament to the town's commitment to security and defense.

Inside the gates, the main courtyard stretched wide, lined with sandstone pathways that connected various sections of the facility. To the left, there were a row of barracks, the buildings being sturdy and adorned with Klugetown’s emblems and banners. Further down were the training grounds, a sprawling area bustling with soldiers of various ranks practicing combat drills, magic sparring, and flight maneuvers.

A little farther, Twilight noticed a storage facility that stored weapons, armor, and supplies essential for any military endeavor. The doors to the arsenal were heavily reinforced, and two elite guards flanked the entrance, alert and ready.

The captain’s eyes lit up as she surveyed the well-organized layout of the base, her keen gaze taking in every detail.

"This place is impressive." Tempest commented, nodding her approval. "Whoever designed this has a sharp mind for security.”

The cat chuckled, proud of the town’s achievement. "Several architects from Equestria and Crystal Empire contributed to the design, and every detail was planned to protect both the citizens and the region’s vital resources. Beyond these walls, patrol routes were extended into the bay and surrounding streets to secure Klugetown from any potential threats."

"That's excellent to hear. And I assume you, Flash and the guards want to explore the base, Tempest?" The Princess of Friendship asked the captain.

Tempest, Flash and the guards all smiled and nodded their head. "Well, take your time exploring the base. Me and Spike will be waiting for you guys near the front." Twilight responded with a smile.

"Meanwhile, the mayor and I will discuss about the next stop." The ambassador said.

With that, the captain and the guards all left to explore the base while both Silver and Capper moved somewhere to discuss the next plan, leaving the Princess of Friendship and her assistant alone.

Spike turned to Twilight. "So... what's next, Twilight?"

Twilight chuckled. "Well, after Flash and others are done exploring the base, we will follow the mayor and the ambassador to the place they planned."

The dragon giggled before he took on a far more serious expression. "In all seriousness though. I want you to take it easy. Don't overexert yourself."

"W-what are you talking?" The Princess of Friendship asked.

“You’re pregnant with child, are you not? It may not be showing yet but that is no reason to be hiding from me." Spike responded.

Twilight gawped at her assistant. "What?! How? How did you know that?"

"To be honest, it wasn't that difficult. I saw the way you react when I said that I bet that there will be children in the town now that the Storm King is gone back on the train and how you were acting around Flash." The dragon smirked. "I take it you haven't tell your family yet?"

The Princess of Friendship's face turned bright red. "Yeah, not yet."

Spike chuckled. "I knew it. Cadance and your mom had a bet if when you are going get pregnant."

"Wait... what?!" Twilight turned her head to her assistant.

The dragon’s eyes widened in panic. "Oh, I shouldn't have told you that. Oh Celestia, they are going to kill me if they find out."

The Princess of Friendship giggled. "Don't worry, Spike. I won't tell them anything about what you said."

Spike sighed himself a relief. "“Thank you so much, Twi. Anyway, have you told Flash about it?"

Twilight groaned. "No. I’ve been trying, I swear! It’s just… every time I was about to tell him, I always either get cold hooves or something interrupts! Not to mention, I don't know how to tell Princess Celestia and Shining about my pregnancy."

The dragon gave the Princess of Friendship a sympathetic smile. "I'm sure you will get it. Shining told me Cadance had the same trouble telling him. She kept getting interrupted or chickening out until she finally just blurted it out at a restaurant."

Twilight blinked in surprised. "Really?"

Spike nodded. "Yes, really. Why do you think Cadance and Shining sent you and your friends on an elaborate treasure hunt? I'm quite impressed that Pinkie can keep the secret for so long without bursting."

The dragon shook his head. "The point is just take your time. Tell him when you are ready."

The Princess of Friendship grinned. "Maybe I can just send him on a treasure hunt with my friends."

"That could work too." Spike agreed before noticing the group coming. "Oh, they are back."

Twilight glanced to see Tempest and the guards coming out of the base and the ambassador and the mayor coming toward the base.

As the captain and the guards rejoined the group, Capper and Silver returned from their conversation, looking pleased.

"So, Princess Twilight Sparkle..." The mayor began. "Our next stop is something I think you’ll find fascinating. Klugetown’s newly established Cultural Exchange Center. After that, we will head back to the embassy."

The Princess of Friendship’s eyes lit up with interest. "A Cultural Exchange Center? That sounds wonderful! What is it?"

The ambassador nodded, smiling. "It’s a place where ponies and creatures from all over Equis can share stories, traditions, and art. We even have classes where residents can learn foreign languages, dances, and customs. It’s been a real hit with the newcomers. It took a lot of outreach, but the architects made it a place where every ponies and creatures feels welcome."

"I’d love to see it." Twilight replied eagerly. "Lead the way."

With that, the group set off down a busy street toward the destination.

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Crystal Empire

Radiant Hope continued tailing Strawberry Dusk from the shadow as the unicorn guard made her way back to her home, her armor clinking against the guard.

'Where in Equestria is the guard's house? I swear if she is leading me to the trap...' The crystal unicorn thought as she hid around the corner of a random building from a patrol of two Crystal Imperial guards who greeted Strawberry, to which the unicorn guard greeted them back before moving on toward her destination.

After a few minutes of hiding from patrols and following Strawberry, Hope finally found the unicorn guard's home the guard was heading to.

The house was a quaint, two-story building crafted from polished pink and lavender crystal, catching the light with a gentle, reflective glow. The exterior featured elegant, arched windows framed with delicate carvings of blooming crystals and vines.

The front door was made of polished dark wood with a crystal knob, and above it, a small balcony on the second floor jutted out, adorned with a modest railing of crystal spindles. The balcony held a few potted plants with lush ivy spilling over the balcony's edges and hinting that the unicorn guard might have a fondness for gardening.

The crystal unicorn didn't care about the house's appearance as her eyes laid on Strawberry who went to take her keys out to unlock the door before entering the house and closing the door behind her.

'Okay, so this is the mare guard's house. Now I just need to find a way in and take her armor to disguise myself to get to the Crystal Heart.' Hope thought as she emerged from the shadow from the dumpster after making sure that the streets were empty, scanning the house for any way in.

Suddenly, the doors at the balcony opened, forcing the crystal unicorn to hide back to the dumpster as Strawberry walked out into the balcony. The unicorn guard stood in the open as she gazed the stars in the sky for a full minute before heading inside.

Seeing this opportunity, Hope used her magic to envelop herself and gently lifted herself up into the air and toward the balcony. After reaching the balcony, she lowered herself before sneaking inside the house and finding a perfect hiding spot to hide. Her eyes scanned the area, finding the Crystal Imperial armor on the stand and the sound of water in the bathroom.

The crystal unicorn's eyes then landed on a storage chest and she approached to open to see it empty.

'Perfect.' Hope thought with a smile as she went inside the chest and closed the lid on top of her. 'Now all I need to do is wait till morning and then knock the mare guard down. Once that's done, I will disguise myself as her and waltz right toward the heart and grabbed it.'