The Jedi Prince II: Trials of the Force

One fine day in the city of Canterlot, Princess Celestia and Prince Blaze were sitting on their thrones busily just signing some routine paper work. It was then that a guard burst through the doors.

“News from Northern Equestria!” said the guard before making a bow and removing his helmet, “Uh...Your highnesses.”

“Yes?” Princess Celestia asked as her paperwork assistant took the work away.

“What is it?” Blaze added.

“I am simply to tell you both that it has returned,” the guard replied. Princess Celestia and Prince Blaze gasped.

“Find Princess Cadance and Shining Armor,” Princess Celestia ordered to another guard standing near her.

“Yes, Your Highnesses,” the second guard replied as he, the other guard standing beside Princess Celestia, and the initial guard who came in, all left the throne room. Princess Celestia and Prince Blaze watched them leave.

“Looks like the time has come...” Prince Blaze said.

Princess Celestia used her magic to begin writing a letter.

“My dearest Twilight and Cody, you must both come to Canterlot at once...” said Princess Celestia as she absentmindedly rubbed her stomach.

Inside the Golden Oaks Library, Cody and Twilight had received Princess Celestia’s message and were busy gathering the materials they figured they would need for this “test” Princess Celestia was giving them. To say both of them were remaining calm would be a gross understatement, Cody was having some anxiety while Twilight was having her own anxiety troubles.

“Where are all my quills?” Twilight retorted with panicked breathing as she stopped pacing about, looked about, and then zipped off. Spike was just watching Twilight pace about as he held a light blue sack in his claws. Then Twilight found her quills and used her magic to toss them at Spike. Spike jumped into the air and grabbed them with the sack, the tips of the quills puncturing the bottom of the sack.

“Brbrbr. No, no, no, no, no...” Twilight babbled as she used her magic to search for a book, “Ugh. We need the Magic Compendium volumes 1 through 36! Where is it?!”

“Why not ask your boyfriend?” Spike remarked but was ignored as Twilight then sat down for a moment and ran off. As Twilight ran over to a shelf to grab a book and Spike headed over to her. The others minus Pinkie were there, just watching Twilight frantically trying to gather her materials. Then Twilight found a large dusty book on a high shelf. Spike got under it to catch it, but the book was so big that it almost landed on top of him, but Cody caught it with the Force and gently set it down. Twilight then headed toward another drawer.

“Flash cards! I should make some flash cards,” said Twilight as she stacked them up into two piles and hovered them over to Spike, “Spike, I’m gonna need you to quiz me. On everything. Everything I’ve ever learned. Ever. Then you can test Cody. This isn’t going to be enough cards.” As Twilight shoved the two stacks of note cards into Spike’s arms as she scratched her chin before remembering something and made a mad dash to the other side of the room. Her friends just continued to watch Twilight, while Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow, Sunset, Sal, Bucky, even R5 were concerned. Applejack was smirking to herself.

“Twilight, calm down,” said Spike firmly as he set the note cards down on the floor, “It’s just a test.” Twilight froze before she looked at Spike with wide eyes. It was clear Spike had hit a nerve. A nerve he should have known by now to never mess with.

“Just a test?” Twilight repeated as she rushed at Spike and leaned into Spike’s face, “Just a test! Princess Celestia wants to give Cody and I some kind of exam, and you’re trying to tell us to calm down because it’s just a test?!” Twilight gave Spike a panicked looking face as she literally backed Spike into a wall. Spike cringed before equipping himself with an army hat and pillow padding around his body.

“Uh...yes,” said Spike nervously. Twilight just glared at him angrily, her temper about to explode as a large ball of magical energy began to glow from her horn.

“I’d say she’s handling this pretty well, considerin’,” said Applejack casually.

“I don’t think so,” Sal replied.

The four ponies, plus Sal and Bucky all got out just in time.

“UUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRGHHHH!” Twilight screamed in frustration as her magic ball exploded, sending the entire Golden Oak into the air, spun about, and then landed back into its original roots.

“WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! UGH!” Cody screamed and groaned as he landed just a few inches from the panting purple pony on his back.

“Oh no, Cody!” Twilight cried out as she rushed over to him and helped him up to his feet, “I’m so, so sorry. I’m just so nervous about the test and then Spike said it was just a test and I...” Twilight stopped talking as Cody gave her a tender hug.

“Just like when you were a filly. A hug always helped calmed you down.” Cody chucked.

Twilight giggled, “Thanks. But what about you? Are you okay?” she asked.

“Well...” said Cody, as he pondered, a vision appeared of him sitting in the middle of the floor hyperventilating and later he was humming to himself, “...I’m pretty nervous myself. Guess I just don’t want to let Mom or Father down. And...I don’t want to let my both my girls down.” Twilight and Sunset smiled.

“I don’t wanna let you down either,” Twilight replied as they shared a brief kiss and chuckled to each other. Spike just rolled his eyes.

I did say I wanted them to get together, Spike thought, I’m just grateful the mush hasn’t been too intolerable...mostly.

“Sunset, can you and R5 please take care of the library while the rest of us are away?” Cody asked.

“Will do, Cody,” Sunset replied, while R5 beeped in agreement.

Back at Canterlot castle, Princesses Celestia and Luna, Prince Blaze, and Commander Dagger were just admiring a new stained glass window depicting Shining Armor and Cadance’s bodies shaping into two halves of a heart. It was created to represent how their love had defeated the changelings not too long ago.

“Are you sure you don’t want me and Dagger to go as well?” Princess Luna asked the elder alicorn as she gazed at the stained glass window.

“Yes, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor are already there,” said Princess Celestia, “The others will be joining them soon.”

“The Empire’s magic is powerful,” Princess Luna reminded her, “It cannot fall again, sister.” Princess Celestia continued to stare at the stained glass picture.

“They will succeed at their task, and when they do, we’ll know that they are much closer to being ready.” Princess Celestia said definitively.

“Especially Cody, because after this, he only has the trials of forgiveness and anger left before he can become a Jedi Knight,” Blaze added.

It was then the double doors that lead to the main hall opened.

“Ahem,” said Twilight with a sheepishly.

“We’re...umm...here...Mom...” Cody stuttered with the same facial expression. Princess Luna just looked at them skeptically while Princess Celestia gave them a warm smile.

“Trust me, little sister,” said Princess Celestia to her younger sibling. Princess Luna said nothing as she walked past them. She only exchanged a brief look with them before taking her leave.

“You wanted to see us?” Twilight asked as she and Cody placed their bags on the floor, “To give us a test? We brought our own quills and plenty of paper to show our work.” It was then a long roll of parchment got away from them.

“Oops! Shoot...” Cody said as he tried to grab the parchment but it got away. Princess Celestia just looked at the paper as it finished unrolling before her.

“Sorry, sorry!” said Twilight as she tried to roll up the paper herself.

“My bad!” Cody added as he was about to grab the paper with his magic when Princess Celestia beat him to it and rolled up the paper herself. She then put all the writing materials back into their saddle bags.

“This is a different kind of test,” said Princess Celestia.

“Let me guess, a test of virtue and worth?” Cody asked.

“Yes, my son,” Princess Celestia answered, as she and Prince Blaze giving them a serious look, “The Crystal Empire has returned.” Cody and Twilight both gave the alicorn stunned and worried looks.

“The Crystal Empire?” said Twilight as she used her magic to scroll through her books, “I’m sorry, I-I thought we’d studied. Ooh, we don’t think there’s anything in any of my books in-”

“There wouldn’t be,” said Princess Celestia, “Few remember it ever existed at all.” Cody and Twilight lifted their heads at her curiously.

“How come you never told us about it before?” Cody asked as he pulled out several notebooks.

“That’s because even my knowledge of the Empire is limited,” Princess Celestia answered as she lifted a giant crystal underneath a protective glass case, “But what I do know it that is contains a powerful magic.” Princess Celestia then set the crystal before Cody and Twilight, who looked at it curiously until Princess Celestia fired a magic blast at it, making the giant crystal produce an image of the entire empire. Cody and Twilight backed away from the projection as it expanded on the floor before them. Cody and Twilight couldn’t help but notice the tower that stood in the center of what looked like a big city. They could also see ponies seemingly made out of crystal living happily within the city.

“One thousand years ago,” Princess Celestia explained, “King Sombra, a unicorn whose heart was black as night, took over the Crystal Empire.” As Princess Celestia told the story, black crystals appeared around the image. Then a gray unicorn with a black mane and tail, with a red horn, and green and orange glowing eyes appeared. He was also wearing steel armor around his body. He smiled and growled evilly as he had all the crystal ponies bounded and chained as they walked single file.

“He was ultimately overthrown, turned into shadow, and banished into the ice of the arctic north,” said Princess Celestia as shadowed figures of what appeared to be herself and Princess Luna as they fired a bright magic blast at King Sombra, who gave a loud roar as his shadowed form fell into a large crack in the ice and then sealed him inside. Cody and Twilight stared at the empire in amazement.

“But not before he was able to put a curse upon the Empire,” Princess Celestia continued, “A curse that caused it to vanish into thin air. If the Empire is filled with hope and love, those things are reflected across all of Equestria.” As the she said that, the image of the empire disappeared from the crystal. She then made the crystal shine brightly as she mentioned hope and love.

“If hatred and fear take hold...” Princess Celestia then made her eyes look just like King Sombra’s and fired a black beam at the crystal, producing black crystals that came rising at the couple. Twilight cringed in fear as Cody held her close protectively, but he was rather shaken up himself.

“Did...did you just use black magic?!” Cody exclaimed in horror as Princess Celestia used her normal magic to blast away the crystals.

“No, no, my son,” said Princess Celestia as she landed back on the ground, “It is just an illusion. Sometimes in order to penetrate, access, or purify anything powered by dark magic, one must disguise their own magic to resemble the source. This allows your magic to be effective against it.” Cody breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.

“Which is why I need your help in finding a way to protect it,” Princess Celestia finished as she looked at them.

“You want us to help protect an entire empire?” said Twilight as she and Cody exchanged worried looks.

“It is, as I said, a different kind of test,” said Princess Celestia as she placed the giant crystal back on its pedestal and under its glass case, “But one I’m certain you two will pass.”

“So the test is actually a mission, and pretty high-stakes too.” Cody said to his girlfriend before turning to his mom and father, “Let me guess, this is another Jedi trial for me as well?”

“Yes, Cody. Once you complete this one, then you only have two more left before you’re ready to become a Jedi Knight,” Blaze replied.

“How do we begin?” Twilight asked bravely as she and Cody faced the princess.

“By joining Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire,” said Princes Celestia as she walked by the two of them.

“My brother is there?” said Twilight excitedly.

“And Cadance?” Cody added in the same tone.

“They are, and your Ponyville friends will join you there as well. I have every confidence you will succeed. And when you do, I’ll know you two are ready to move on to the next level of your studies.” Princess Celestia said. She then guided both Twilight and Cody outside of the main hall where Princess Luna was standing just outside the double doors. The stern look she gave both Cody and Twilight melted what little confidence they had about their “test”.

“But what if we fail?” Twilight asked worried.

“You won’t,” said Princess Celestia.

“But what if-” Cody tried to ask but Princess Celestia held a hand in the air to silence them both.

“You won’t,” said Princess Celestia firmly as the two ponies started to walk away, “But Cody and Twilight, in the end, it must be you and you two alone who ultimately assists Cadance and Shining Armor in doing what needs to be done to protecting the Empire. Do you understand?” They looked back at her.

“Mm-hmm!” said Twilight with a firm nod and a confident smile.

“Mm-hmm!” Cody added right after with a nod and smile of his own.

“Then go, there is no time to lose. May the Force be with you,” Princess Celestia replied. The alicorn quickly shut the door in their faces. Cody and Twilight pondered to each other before taking their leave.

Outside the stairs leading inside the castle, Spike was just sitting and waiting for Cody and Twilight to come out with a bored look on his face. It was then Cody and Twilight came walking downstairs with their heads low.

“Ah! Twilight! Cody!” said Spike excitedly as he stood up, “That was fast! Let me guess, you both got a perfect score?” Cody and Twilight just looked at him before walking off.

“A-minus? B-plus?” Spike guessed and then gasped, “Did one or both of you...” he lowered his voice to a whisper, “fail?” Spike didn’t get an answer as they just looked sadly into the distance. It was then Cody and Twilight walked forward and began to sing. Spike just smiled and lightly jogged up to them.

Twilight (sings):
I was prepared to do my best

Cody (sings):
Thought I could handle any test

Twilight and Cody (sing):
For I can do so many tricks
But I wasn’t prepared for this

Twilight and Cody made their way down some side streets, some other unicorns were snootily walking about. Twilight, Cody, and Spike saw a waiter offer a mare a tall tea pot and a cup. Twilight then used her magic to pick up the tea pot and pour the tea into the cup.

Twilight and Cody (sing):
Levitation would have been a breeze
Fact and figures I recite with ease

“The square root of five hundred and forty-six is twenty-three point three six six six four two eight nine zero nine,” Twilight recited as she sat just outside of the school office of a nearby professor.

“And one-hundred twenty eight to the fourth power is two hundred sixty eight million, four hundred thirty five thousand, four hundred fifty-six,” Cody recited right after.

“They are both correct,” said the science pony, as he showed the same calculations in his black board.

Twilight then picked up Spike and spun him around, hugged him, and then dropped him as she frowned. Then she and Cody headed over to the edge of a tower balcony that overlooked the landscape. Spike rubbed his top scale to recover before joining them.

Twilight (sings):
I could ace a quiz on friendships bliss
But I wasn’t prepared for this

Cody and Twilight (sing):
Will I fail, or will I pass?
I can’t be sure...

Spike (sings):
They can’t be sure...

Twilight and Cody then headed toward a pond. Twilight then teleported from one lily pond to the next, making a pose as she did so. Cody copied the same moves, except his handstand was on both his arms and the third was a classic victory pose. He teleported to Twilight’s right for the fourth pose.

Twilight and Cody (sing):
My mind is sharp, my skills intact
My heart is pure...

Spike (sings):
Their hearts are pure...

Twilight and Cody danced together, performing a small jump and then trotting forward holding hands with their heads reeled back. Spike twinkles toes as he follows them from behind, doing his own ballet solo.

Twilight (sings)
Oh, I taken my share of licks.

Cody (sings)
I’ve made it through the thin and thick

Twilight (sings):
But no, I wasn’t

Spike (sings):
Oh no, she wasn’t

Cody (sings):
Oh no, I wasn’t

Spike (sings):
Oh no, he wasn’t

Twilight and Cody (sing):
No I wasn’t...

Twilight, Cody, and Spike (sing):
Prepared...for this!

A little later both Cody and Twilight arrived at the train station platform. Spike, still in good spirits, followed them from behind until his smile flipped over.

“Uh, prepared for what exactly?” Spike asked puzzled. Cody and Twilight looked at him sadly.

“Twilight! Cody!” said a voice as they turned to see Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, and Fluttershy at the station platform waiting for them. Applejack was the first to reach them as she jumped up and hugged them each around the neck.

“Uh, did you pass?” Applejack asked curiously as the others caught up to them. Spike just smiled, until a certain pink pony appeared next to him.

“Are we gonna celebrate your awesomeness with Princess Celestia?” Pinkie asked, bumping Spike out of the way as she set her party cannon pointing upwards and then squatted down. Pinkie timed her jump perfectly as her party cannon blasted out some confetti at the same time.

“Not quite,” Cody and Twilight replied together, making both the confetti blast and Pinkie stopped in mid air. Pinkie returned to the ground looking puzzled as the confetti blast went right back inside of the cannon and lowered.

“We’re going to the Crystal Empire!” said Twilight, with Cody nodding in agreement. The others looked perplexed.

“Huh?” they all said at once.

“Crystal what?” Rainbow asked but didn’t get any answers.

It wasn’t long before Cody, the Mane Six, and Spike were riding a train heading towards the frozen arctic region of Equestria. The train just gave a loud whistle as it made its way toward a lone station where the snow was falling heavily and the winds were howling. As soon as the door to their passenger car opened, Twilight and Cody both raised a hand to their faces as the others flinched at the bitter cold winds. Everypony except for Rarity, who had a pink scarf around her neck.

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

“Well there’s a fine line between being prepared and overdoing it,” Cody remarked, “Poor Spike is buried alive under all that luggage!”

“I didn’t say a word,” said Spike with a grunt as he carried various bags that belonged to the white pony. Spike then slipped on some snow and dropped her luggage. One suitcase then opened, causing several scarves to go flying into the winds, “Whoa! Hey. C’mere...” Spike then faded out as he gave chase. Cody and Twilight led the group forward, trying to figure out where to go next.

“Twilight!” somepony called out. Twilight raised a fore-hoof over her face to see who it was. It was then she saw a familiar white stallion wearing a black scarf, snow mask, and some goggles. He quickly lowered his mask and goggles.

“Shining Armor?” said Twilight as she rushed over and gave him a hug. Cody just casually followed behind Twilight.

“Twily! Cody! You made it!” said Shining Armor excitedly before getting serious, “We’d better get moving. There are things out here we really don’t want to run into after dark.” The group looked worried and Fluttershy gulped.

“What kind of things?” Fluttershy asked timidly.

“Let’s just say the Empire...isn’t the only thing that’s returned,” Shining Armor answered as Spike arrived carrying various scarves in his hands.

“I’ve got a good guess what the other thing might be,” Cody said with a shiver, “Good thing I brought these just in case.” He then pulled out his macrobinoculars.

“Where are mine?” Twilight demanded.

“I never had the chance to get you another pair, Twilight,” Cody replied as Twilight just pouted. Fortunately Shining Armor got everyone refocused so they could get on their way and the group began to their treacherous venture through the snow.

“Something keeps trying to get in!” Shining Armor explained, “We think it’s the unicorn king who originally cursed the place.”

“That would make the most sense to me,” Cody answered, “Based on what I heard about him, King Sombra seems to have the makings of a Sith.”

“But Princess Celestia and Prince Blaze said Cody and I were being sent here to find a way to protect the Empire!” Twilight explained, “If Sombra can’t get in, then it must already by protected.”

“Maybe for now, but I think Mom wanted us to find a stronger if not more permanent solution. Something that will keep Sombra out for good and we also need to defeat him,” Cody replied. It was then a loud howl was heard, making everypony stop moving. Fluttershy gasped.

“Th-that’s one of the things, isn’t it?” Fluttershy asked in a panic.

“Guh! We have to get to the Crystal Empire! Now!” Shining Armor shouted as everypony picked up their pace. It was then a black tornado appeared behind them and pair of glowing green and red eyes became visible. Poor Spike was petrified at the sight until Shining Armor scooped him up with his magic, making the dragon drop Rarity’s luggage, as they all made a run for it. King Sombra growled and roared as he gave chase after them.

“Go, go!” Twilight shouted as she scooped Spike, so he could ride piggyback on her. However, King Sombra kept on giving chase on the group.

“Almost there,” said Shining Armor as they saw a giant blue done in the distance. Shining Armor then stopped and turned to face Sombra one-on-one.

“I hope we don’t go smack into that thing!” Cody called out as they kept running and managed to go through the barrier rather than smacking into it.

“Everypony okay?” Twilight asked out of breath. The rest of the ponies just gave a general okay at they tried to catch their own breath. It was then Shining Armor came diving through the barrier. All of his snow gear had been lost and there were some black crystals surrounding the top of his horn.

“Oh, no!” said Twilight as she rushed over to her brother so quickly that Spike fell off, “Shining Armor, your horn!” Shining Armor sat up and tried to make his horn glow, the black crystals acted like a barrier that prevented him from doing so. He just shook his head as the two just shared sad looks with each other.

“Sparkleriffic!” said Pinkie, but it didn’t do much to lighten up the brother and sister’s mood as Cody just rolled his eyes at her. It was then they joined the rest of the group as they marveled at what appeared to be the Crystal Empire. They stood before two giant crystal pillars that acted as the main gate into the Empire. Even the surrounding environment was must more pleasant with clear pleasant skies and soft green grass. It wasn’t long before Shining Armor guided them down the streets that lead to the central tower, which was also the location of the Crystal Palace.

“It’s gorgeous!” said Rarity as she marveled at the sights, “Absolutely gorgeous!” She then mumbled as she continued to fan girl over the crystals, “There are no words!” Rarity made the face of a pony that was clearly star struck.

“Focus, Rarity,” Applejack said as she brought her back to reality, “We’re here to help Twilight and Cody, not admire the scenery.” Applejack then walked off as Rainbow walked about in the background.

“Eh, I don’t see what the big deal is. Just looks like another old castle to me.” Rainbow remarked.

“A-p-guh!” Rarity spluttered as if somepony had shaved off her mane before she got into the blue Pegaus’s face, “Another old...! Have you lost your mind? Look at the magni-” Rarity was then cut off when Applejack and Rainbow laughed and exchange a fist bump with each other. The other girls just chuckled and smiled as well.

“Very funny,” Rarity muttered to herself.

“Leave Rarity alone, you guys. This place is very beautiful.” Cody said, then turned to Twilight, “Twily, maybe you and I can have a little date here sometime soon.”

“Well, aren’t you romantic,” Twilight remarked as they nuzzled each other. Shining Armor rolled his eyes and everypony made their way inside the castle.

Inside the main throne room was Cadance, who was sitting on a throne chair made out of crystal. One could tell that the pink alicorn was looking rather tired as her horn was glowing constantly and there were dark circles under her eyes. She was feeling rather glum for the moment.

“Cadance!” Twilight and Cody shouted. Cadance then smiled excitedly as she headed over to the two ponies.

“Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake!” the three of them sang and danced together, “Clap your hands and give a little shake!” They laughed as Rainbow and Applejack snickered.

“Can you believe Cody actually did that so openly?” Rainbow remarked as Applejack chuckled. Cody, who had heard Rainbow, gave them a glare when Cadance cringed as the barrier outside flickers like her horn.

“One of these days we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn’t hanging in the balance.” Cadance then sighed, her exhaustion was now more clearly visible.

“Are you okay?” said Twilight.

“You don’t look so good,” Cody added with worry.

“Cadance has been able to use her magic to spread love and light,” said Shining Armor as he stood beside the pink alicorn, “That seems to be what is protecting it. But she hasn’t slept, barely eats. I want to help her, but my protection spell has been countered by King Sombra.”

“Wuh? Cadance!” Cody said, “I seem to recall somepony telling me that rest and good meals are important for being able to do your best all at times. That anyone who’s smart don’t run themselves ragged.”

“This is different...” Cadance replied in her defense.

“No it isn’t,” said Cody, “If you run out of energy, the consequences are going be much more serious. If sleeping means risking lowering the shield, then at least get a good meal in your stomach! Shining Armor, point me to the kitchen, I’m going to make my cousin a meal fit for a princess! With dessert!”

“Ooh, can you make your famous Triple Chocolate Buttercream cake?” Shining Armor asked excitedly. Cadance and Twilight giggled at this.

“Sure, just point me to the kitchen,” Cody replied. Shining Armor gave him instructions and Cody was on his way. Cadance just rolled her eyes and breathed deeply.

“I had forgotten how overprotective Cody can be,” said Cadance.

“Hey, you said you missed his cooking. Might as well let him make you something to eat.” Shining Armor replied.

“It’s alright, Shining Armor,” said Cadance, “I’m fine.”

“She’s not fine,” Shining Armor said to Twilight, “She can’t go on like this forever, and if her magic were to fade...Well, you saw what’s out there waiting for that to happen.” Twilight then looked outside for a moment.

“That’s why we’re here,” Twilight replied.

“Why we’re all here,” Applejack remarked behind the purple pony on behalf of the rest of the group.

“Mm-hmm,” the others added in agreement.

“Well, with Cadance putting all her strength into keep her spell going, and me trying to keep an eye on signs of trouble in the arctic, we haven’t been able to gather much information from the Crystal Ponies,” Shining Armor explained.

“Crystal Ponies?!” said Rarity excitedly as she tugged her mane, “Hahaha, there are Crystal Ponies?!” Rarity then realized everyone minus Twilight was giving her funny looks.

“Um, ahem,” said Rarity sheepishly, “Please continue.”

“But we have to believe one of them knows how we can protect the Empire without having to use Cadance’s magic,” said Shining Armor. It was then that Cody came out of it rolling a tray for a full course meal, dessert included.

“That was quick,” said Twilight, “How did you cook that so quickly? Let alone bake the cake.” Cody smiled.

“Pinkie taught me a trick on how to do speed cooking and baking,” Cody replied as he set the tray of food before Cadance, “I managed to catch the last part of the conversation and I agree. Somepony within the Empire must know something about how to defeat King Sombra. Looks like we’ve got some research to do.” Twilight then pondered for a moment when she got an idea.

“A research paper!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Huh?” said Shining Armor as Candace looked puzzled.

“That must be part of our test, to gather information from the Crystal Ponies and deliver it to you! This is gonna be great! I love research papers!” said Twilight excitedly. Cadance and Shining Armor looked stunned as Cody chuckled to himself.

“Don’t I know it,” Cody remarked.

“Yeah, who doesn’t?” Rainbow muttered sarcastically to Pinkie.

“Oh-oh-oh!” Pinkie replied energetically, “Lemme guess! Is it Spike? Nono, Fluttershy! Rarity?” Pinkie then grabbed the two ponies and then gave the group a worried look. Cody groaned.

“Doesn’t that pony know sarcasm when she hears it?” Cody remarked as Cadance chuckled. Twilight then got behind Shining Armor and hugged him.

“Don’t worry, big brother,” said Twilight, “I am really good at this sort of things. Especially with Cody helping me.” Shining Armor smiled.

Later that day, the group had split up for the most part to go and ask the crystal ponies for information. Twilight, Cody, and Spike had decided to create their own group. Cody was showing compassion and empathy to ponies who clearly suffered under King Sombra. He, Twilight, and Spike were bummed that they didn’t get any information from the crystal ponies.

“Well, that was a total bust,” Spike remarked as the group headed back into the street.

“Maybe the others are having better luck,” said Twilight until she noticed Cody looked rather glum.

“Are you okay, Cody?” Twilight asked.

“I just feel so much...pain, sadness, suffering. That monster hurt these crystal ponies in ways that will take a lot of time to heal. I’ve...never sensed such emotions so intense like this before...” Cody replied sadly, then turned determined, “Sombra is strong with the dark side of the Force and we gotta defeat him.”

Meanwhile, Rainbow was trying to get information out of another crystal pony named Fleur De Verre. In her own special way.

“A way to protect the Empire!” Rainbow demanded as she hovered above the crystal pony, “You know anything about it or what?”

“I wish I could help you. Really,” Fleur De Verre replied in a depressed manner. Rainbow looked stunned before she flew back into the pony’s face.

“Hold on!” said Rainbow, doing some boxing punches in front of the pony, “You gotta know something!”

“But...I don’t have any information,” said Fleur De Verre. Rainbow just grunted loudly as she slapped a hand over her face.

Elsewhere, Fluttershy and Bucky were having trouble getting information as well. She seemed to having some trouble asserting some attention to herself.

“Oh, um. Excuse me!” Fluttershy stuttered, “Oh! Hello! Umm, I was just wondering.” The crystal ponies just kept walking past her. Fluttershy then noticed a pair of crystal ponies just sitting at a nearby table. She narrowed her eyes at them, gritting her teeth as she raised a hand angrily into the air, before backing out of her attempt to be assertive.

“Oh, oh, that’s okay,” said Fluttershy with a nervous laugh, “Um, you all look really busy.” Fluttershy then just moved away hovering backwards from the two crystal ponies.

Meanwhile, a certain pink pony appeared in the background using her random agility to move about. She was also dressed in black and wearing a pair of goggles on her head.

“Time to gather some intel!” said Pinkie as she scaled down a wall with some rope. At that moment, a pair of crystal ponies were looking at the center tower where the crystal castle was located.

“It just feels like something is missing,” said one pony named Elbow Grease.

“I know,” the pony named Night Knight answered, “It looks the same, but it doesn’t feel the same.”

“Because it isn’t!” said Pinkie in a loud whisper as she appeared above them upside down, making the two crystal ponies flinch.

“A spy!” Elbow Grease gasped before she and Night Knight took off. Pinkie then screamed as she fell to the ground.

“A spy?” Pinkie asked indignantly, “How did they know?” She then looked up at her head, “Ah! Must have noticed my night vision goggles.” She then put the night vision goggles on.

“Ooh! Night vision-y!” said Pinkie as she then took off in a hurry...

CLANG!

...right into a crystal lamppost.

So while Pinkie was knocked out, Rarity was trying to get intel in her own way.

Actually, she seemed to be visioning herself as a crystal pony and boasting about it.

“Hm-hm-hmmm, and when you flip your mane, it simply must create a rainbow of color. Oh! Wouldn’t I look marvelous? So sparkly!” said Rarity as she daydreamed. She tittered to herself happily as the other crystal ponies just gave her funny and disturbed looks before backing away from her.

It wasn’t long before Cody, the Mane Six, Sal, Bucky, and Spike all regrouped back at the central area of the empire.

“I got nothing so far,” said Rainbow sadly as she made her landing, looking rather exhausted.

“Oh, me neither,” said Rarity quickly, not wanting to admit she hadn’t exactly helped.

“Oh dear...” Cody replied as Twilight and Spike looked rather disappointed. It was then Fluttershy arrived, but then unzipped herself and revealed that it was Pinkie instead. Cody, Spike, and Twilight looked rather disturbed.

“My cover has been blown,” said Pinkie in a hushed tone, “I repeat, my cover has been blown!” Pinkie then took off as Spike just slowly backed away.

“Ooookay,” said Twilight slowly.

“Sorry, Twilight,” said Applejack, getting everypony back on track, “These crystal ponies seem to have some kinda collective amnesia or somethin’. Only thing I was able to get out of ‘em was somethin’ about a library.” Twilight gasped.

“A library?” Twilight asked as stars appeared in his eyes and then grabbed Applejack by the cheeks, “Well, why didn’t you say so?!”

“Uh...thought I just did,” Applejack replied.

“Come on, babe,” said Twilight excitedly as she grabbed Cody’s arms, “A library!”

“WAH!” Cody yelped as he was pulled away before he could respond and the others followed the couple to what appeared to be a giant building. As the doors opened, inside was a massive multi-story library filled with books galore. Twilight was in awe as the rest of the group made their way inside.

“I just...I don’t even know what to...There are no words,” said Twilight in amazement. Cody smiled.

“I love it when my girlfriend gets like this,” he said to the others.

“Ahem,” said an elderly crystal pony named Amethyst Maresbury, “May I help you?”

“Yes,” said Twilight eagerly, “We’re looking for a book.”

“We have plenty of those,” Amethyst Maresbury answered.

“You do,” said Twilight as she twirled about happily, “You really do.” Cody chuckled as Applejack approached the crystal pony.

“We’re lookin’ for a history book,” Applejack told her, “Somethin’ that might tell us how the Empire might’ve protected itself from danger back in the day.”

“Yes. Of course,” Amethyst Maresbury replied, “History, history...Ah yes.” The six girls smiled and gave a squee as Cody smiled hopefully. But then there was a long pause as the crystal pony said nothing.

“Which is where, exactly?” Twilight asked uneasily.

“I...I can’t seem to remember,” said Amethyst Maresbury sadly, “I’m not sure I actually work here.”

“Karabast...” Cody groaned.

“UGH!” Rainbow groaned as well, face-palming herself.

“We’ll just take a look around,” said Twilight, “I’m sure we can find it on our own.” It was then all but Pinkie headed towards the shelves to start their search.

“Let me know if you find anything,” said Amethyst Maresbury before walking away with a uncertainty in her demeanor.

“I like her!” said Pinkie before joining the rest of the group.

It wasn’t long before they had all split up to search the library shelves. Rainbow then stood on the top of crystal ladder as Applejack bucked it so Rainbow could scan the books quickly and dropped book after book from the top shelves to the floor. Fluttershy was actually exploring the books at a more leisurely pace. They didn’t even notice all the books drops right behind them or that Cody was skimming through them all and placing them back into the shelves. Pinkie searched the shelves by randomly jumping from one book to the next. Rarity yawned as she let Spike search the books for her. Alot of time had passed as Applejack was searching through her own stack of books and feeling rather discouraged.

“Uh, anyone else startin’ to think this is a lost cause?” Applejack asked.

“We can’t give up yet,” Cody replied as he put some already searched books back into the shelves and then looked over to Twilight, who was searching through her own giant pile of books, “Found anything, Twily?”

“No, no, no, no, no...” said Twilight frantically as she searched cover after cover until one book finally caught her interest, “Yes! ‘History of the Crystal Empire’!”

“Alright!” Cody exclaimed as he hopped easily from the upper floor to the one below. Twilight clutched the book happily as the rest of the ponies gathered around her.

“I just hope it has the answers we need,” said Twilight as she opened the book. The others just looked at it with interest.

“A “Crystal Faire”,” Twilight read aloud to Shining Armor and Cadance, whom the latter was looking more and more exhausted, “According to this book, it was established by their first queen and became their most important tradition. The Faire was held every year to “renew the spirit of love and unity in the empire so they could protect it from harm”. My boyfriend, my friends and I could put it together. Everything we need to know is in the book!” Twilight and Cody both gave them a smile.

“That sounds pretty promising,” Shining Armor replied.

“We’ll get started right away,” said Twilight, “C’mon, Spike and Cody, we’ve got a Crystal Faire to put together!” Cody nodded as he followed Twilight. Spike did the same, but grunted since he not only had to carry the heavy book, but was holding it as Twilight was reading it to Cadance and Shining Armor.

Cody, Twilight, and Spike then headed through some double doors. Inside were the rest of the main six as they sat at a large dark blue round table. Cody and Twilight approached the table with Spike right behind them.

Twilight comes up to the table with Cody at her side. She then used her magic to place the book in the middle of the table. The others smile as the book opened. Rainbow read the first page they saw which featured ponies doing a jousting tournaments as she worked on the costumes for it. Rarity read another page which showed the flag of the Crystal Empire as she gathered the materials to recreate the flag. Applejack read another page which showed a crystal pony gathering berries as she and Pinkie collected the berries from a bush into a basket. She also eats a berry.

Fluttershy read another page that showed a picture of a frolicking ewe. It was then two ewes appeared from behind a small hill as Fluttershy led and frolicked with them on. Cody and the ponies shared looks with each other as they looked at the book further.

Pinkie turned the page herself as she saw a pony playing a flugelhorn. She then played the instrument herself, causing everypony to cringe and lean away. Cody turned a page to see ponies gathered around a large collection of tent-like stands. He helped to set up the tents before picking up a ball and tossing it a stack of crystal bottles, knocking them all over. Twilight stood before the Crystal Empire flag with her left hand over her heart.

Rainbow helped to hang up some white flag banners around the set up stands as Twilight and Cody, the former holding the book with her magic, made sure everything was set up correctly. Fluttershy arrived with the ewes. Pinkie bounced past next with the flugelhorn and Spike arrived carrying a large collection of balloons, which he let go as the balloons floated high into the sky. Then they are all together again to finish the song. As the song ended, a zoomed out view showed that Crystal Faire was ready to go.

“This looks amazing!” said Twilight as she and Cody looked around, “I don’t know how we could’ve done this without you!”

“I agree,” Cody said, “This was definitely a team effort. Great job everypony!”

“One last check to make sure everything is in place, and then the festivities can begin!” Twilight pointed out as she cheeked the book. It was then Applejack noticed a small statue with a heart on top of it.

“What’s this thing for?” Applejack asked as she gave the statue a slight tap, causing it to make a loud THUNK sound.

“The last page of the book mentioned a Crystal Heart as the faire’s centerpiece,” Twilight explained, “So I used my magic to cut one out of a crystal block.” Cody whistled impressively.

“I didn’t know you were so artistic,” Cody said.

“You’re not the only one whose multi-talented, babe,” Twilight remarked as she kissed his cheek.

“Nice work, Twi,” said Applejack, “Think we’re ready to get this faire up and runnin’.”

Pinkie now stood at the side of a giant balcony of the castle which overlooked the faire grounds. She took a deep breath and blew into the flugelhorn.

“FLUGELHORN!” she said as she blew into it loudly and took another breath. It was then Cody and Twilight approached the edge of the balcony with Cadance and Shining Armor right behind them.

“Hear ye, hear-” Twilight began.

“FLUGELHORN!” Pinkie shouted as she blew into the said instrument a second time, making Cody and Twilight cringe.

“Pinkie!” Cody snapped as Twilight glared back at the pink pony. Pinkie blinked before laughing nervously as the others stared at her.

“My bad,” said Pinkie bashfully.

“Ahem,” said Twilight as she cleared her throat, “Hear ye, hear ye! Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor do cordially invite you to attend the Crystal Faire!” As Twilight made her announcement, several crystal ponies peeked out of their houses and work locations while some other ponies looked up from walking in the streets. Once they heard about the faire, several of the crystal ponies began to sparkle as they smiled and chatted excitedly with each other. Twilight and Cody smiled as Pinkie walked up to look as well.

“Alright!” Cody exclaimed as the three shared a high five together.

“Come on in, y’all,” said Applejack as she lead them through the faire grounds, “Got food and drinks thataway, games and crafts are thataway. Crystal Heart to the back near the Princess.”

“Did she say...Crystal heart?” said Elbow Grease as the other crystal ponies chattered amongst each other excitedly again and they began to enjoy themselves. It was then Rainbow appeared next to one rather timid crystal pony.

“We totally nailed it right?” Rainbow asked but didn’t let the crystal pony answer before continuing, “Must be feeling a lot of love and unity about now!” The crystal pony looked rather uneasy as she headed to the stands where the food was.

“Gonna have some grub, huh?” Rainbow continued to frazzle the poor crystal pony, “What are you thinking? Crystal Empire berry pie? Maybe some crystal corn-on-the-cob?” Rainbow then looked to see that she had scared off the crystal pony.

“What is with these ponies?!” Rainbow bellowed.

Elsewhere in the faire grounds, two crystal ponies were looking around.

“Seeing all of this,” said Autumn Gem, “I feel like I’m starting to remember.”

“Me too,” said Fleur De Verre. They then gasp as their own bodies sparkled.

“The Crystal Heart!” they exclaimed together.

“Do you think they really have it?” Fleur De Verre asked. Rainbow heard them and quickly hovered over to them.

“Of course we have it!” Rainbow answered for them, “Can’t have a Crystal Faire without the Crystal Heart?”

“Of course you can’t,” said Amethyst Maresbury, “The whole purpose of the Crystal Faire is to lift the spirits of the Crystal Ponies, so the light within them can power the Crystal Heart, so that the Empire can be protected!” She then gasped as her own body sparkled.

“I do work at the library!” Amethyst Maresbury exclaimed.

“W-what’s that about “powering the heart”?” Rainbow asked skeptically as Applejack was standing beside her.

“I just can’t believe you found it,” Amethyst Maresbury continued, “King Sombra said he’d hidden it away where we would never see it again! I only hope it will still be as powerful after all these years...! Mmm, funnel cake!” Rainbow made a strained groan as she and Applejack’s eyes widened as the elder crystal pony left them alone. Rainbow then took off to where the makeshift Crystal Heart was. Twilight and Cody were just checking out the book when Rainbow covered the statue, and both ponies, with a blanket.

“What are you doing, Dashie?” Cody asked annoyed.

“Why did you-” Twilight was about to add.

“I think we may have a problem...” said Rainbow nervously.

It wasn’t long before Rainbow was up on the balcony with Twilight, Cody, Cadance, and Shining Armor. Cody and Twilight were rather upset.

“I didn’t know it was an actual relic!” said Twilight as she searched the book, “The book didn’t mention anything about the Crystal Ponies powering the Heart!” It was then Twilight turned to the last page and found that the actual last page was torn out.

“There was a page missing...” said Twilight.

“Looks like King Sombra was one step ahead of us,” Cody replied sadly.

“How did I not notice this?” said Twilight as she face-palmed herself and then glared at Cody, “and how did you not notice this?”

“I guess I just didn’t!” Cody protested.

“Well you’re supposed to catch the details that I miss, babe!” Twilight shot back.

“Well nopony’s perfect, Twily!” Cody yelled.

“Well I thought you at least tried for my sake!” Twilight yelled back.

“So this is my fault?” Cody asked.

“Glad we agree on something!” Twilight remarked.

“Hey, I thought you promised not blame me for your mistakes!” Cody said.

“I’m not because you missed the details, not me!” Twilight retorted.

“Oh yeah!” Cody said.

“Yeah!” Twilight shot back.

“Cody, Twilight, stop it!” said Cadance in a stern but tired tone, “It’s alright...these things...hap...end...” Cadance suddenly got very dizzy. Shining Armor caught her before Cadance could tumble to the floor. However there was trouble. Cadance’s horn stopped glowing.

“Twily...Cody...” said Shining Armor with worry. It was then a ominous howl was heard as the barrier protecting the Empire faded. Then black shadow clouds started to appear and began to completely surround the Empire. King Sombra’s face then appeared from the shadow with a devious smile as he growled menacingly.

“Babe?” said Twilight fearfully as the two held each other close.

“Yes?” Cody replied in the same tone.

“We’re in deep trouble,” Twilight said.

“I agree,” Cody replied and held Twilight a little tighter.