The Jedi Prince II: Trials of the Force

As the dark shadow cloud made its way towards the Empire, King Sombra revealed his head as he laughed evilly and slowly made his way towards the Crystal gate.

“The Empire is under attack,” said Shining Armor as he helped Cadance get back on her hooves. With a quick smile to each other, Cadance then narrowed her eyes and used her magic to reactivate the protective barrier around the Empire. King Sombra tried to charge through, but his head hit the reappearing barrier.

“Arrgh!” he groaned as the tip of his red horn was broken off and fell inside of the barrier as it closed up. It wasn’t long before the horn tip sank underground. Cadance smiled as she saw the barrier was restored but then winced since she was still feeling very exhausted.

“I have to find the Crystal Heart!” said Shining Armor with much determination in his tone.

“No,” said Twilight as Cody helped the struggling alicorn from losing her balance before Shining Armor went to help support his wife, “You stay here with Cadance. She needs you, Shining Armor. Cody and I will retrieve the heart.” Cody narrowed his eyes and nod. Cadance and Shining Armor smiled before he joined Twilight and Rainbow.

“Let’s do this!” said Rainbow as they headed inside the palace.

“I’ve been trying to figure out how Cody and I are meant to pass Celestia’s test,” Twilight told Rainbow.

“Should we really be worrying about that right now, Twily?” Cody asked, “We’ve got more at stake than passing a test at the moment!”

“I’m just saying, retrieving the Crystal Heart must be it. But there is something else you can do.” Twilight replied. She turned to face Rainbow who was hovering overhead with a confident smile on her face.

“Name it,” she replied.

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

“What? With that thing moving into the Empire?” Rainbow asked in shock.

“The whole purpose of the Crystal Faire is to lift the spirits of the Crystal Ponies, so they can activate the Crystal Heart,” Twilight explained as they continued to make their way out of the palace.

“Yeah, and?” Rainbow asked with an eye roll as she flew right above the couple.

“Focus Dash!” Cody snapped, “This is very important!”

“If the Crystal Ponies find out that King Sombra is trying to take over the Crystal Empire again, their spirits are gonna be anything but lifted. It won’t matter if we find the Crystal Heart. They won’t be able to make it work. You have to keep them happy here at the Faire.” Applejack was busy trying to keep a crystal pony from taking a peak at the fake Crystal Heart and quickly covered it with a sheet and guarded it. It was then the three of them exited the palace.

“Keep the Faire going and the Crystal Ponies’ spirits high. Done and done,” Rainbow summarized as gave Twilight and Cody salute and flew off.

“Twily! Cody!” Shining Armor called out as he held Cadance close to him, “Be careful. The both of you.”

“We will,” said Twilight.

It was then the two of them took off into the city. Little did anypony know that by allowing the tip of Sombra’s broken horn to sink underground that it would produce a black crystal, allowing the wicked king magical access to the Empire as he growled in determination.

Meanwhile, the crystal ponies were playing ring toss, making their bodies sparkle. Autumn Gem, who had become slightly discouraged, started eating some crystal corn to make herself sparkle again. Fluttershy watched from the pie stand with a smile. At another stand, Rarity was busy creating hats and other crafts made out of crystal hay as several crystal ponies came to watch her make her creations. They soon sparkled and started fighting over her items as Rarity quickly scooted out of the way. Spike just watched Rarity as Rainbow arrived next to the marshmallow pony from a nearby bush.

“Okay. here’s...” Rainbow whispered and the lowered her voice so only Rarity could hear. Rarity’s eyes shrunk when she heard the plan.

“Huuuuh?” Rarity winced as the crystal ponies all looked at her puzzled. Rarity quickly tried to recompose herself, “I...just found out they’re offering face painting for the little ones.” Rarity gave a nervous laugh as the crystal ponies kept staring at her. Rainbow then took off as Rarity pulled Spike close and whispered to him.

“Uh-huh. We can do that,” Spike replied but then his own eye bugged out when he heard the rest, “Twilight and Cody are doing what?!” Spike then took off as some crystal ponies watched him leave.

“He...really..loves getting his face painted,” said Rarity, “Haha.”

For the moment Cody and Twilight were walking past a flugelhorn stand in deep thought.

“Who wants a flugelhorn?” Rainbow shouted.

“I want a flugelhorn!” Pinkie called out, wearing a jesters outfit. Rainbow just glared.

“Who else wants a flugelhorn?” Rainbow asked annoyingly.

“I want a flugelhorn!” Pinkie screamed and threw temper tantrum. Cody, who took notice, rolled his eyes.

“I got it,” said Twilight, “Babe, are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Cody looked at the palace himself before his face brightened.

“I sure am!” Cody answered. It was then Spike arrived out of breath.

“Twilight, Cody, wait!” Spike panted, “I’m coming with you!”

“You can’t. Cody and I have to retrieve the Crystal Heart by ourselves,” Twilight said. She and Cody then walked off.

“I know. I promise I won’t lift a claw to help you two.” Spike replied. He soon found himself being placed onto Twilight, piggyback.

“Not a claw, Spike,” said Twilight as she gave the dragon a smile.

“But do let us know if you spot anything,” Cody added as they went on their way at high speed, or at least as fast as Twilight could run.

“Where are we going exactly?” Spike asked as they quickly ran between two crystal ponies.

“We think we might know where King Sombra hid the Crystal Heart,” said Twilight.

“The castle?” Spike replied in surprise.

“The king would’ve been counting on the fact that nopony would dare come looking for it here, they’d have been too afraid to even try,” Twilight explained.

“Not only that, but when you think about it. For the king to hide the Crystal Heart here would have been too easy. It’s the old double-reverse psychology and we figured it out,” Cody added.

“I hope you’re right.” Spike replied.

“You and us both,” said Twilight as the three then made their way inside.

Soon enough, Cody and Twilight were frantically running about the castle try to find any sort of clues that would lead them to the Crystal Heart. They both sighed loudly when their efforts weren’t giving them any results. Spike just panted since he was finding it more difficult not to “lift a claw” and help, especially as he watched Twilight and Cody looking around.

“It’s gotta be here somewhere, it’s gotta be!” Twilight said.

“I’m checking every nook and cranny that I can, Twily!” Cody called out.

“Well, look harder!” Twilight snapped as she checked a small shelf.

“We both need to look harder!” Cody retorted.

It was then they both saw Spike looking under a rug.

“Not a claw, Spike,” said Twilight.

“Uh...” Spike murmured and laughed nervously as Twilight rushed out of the room. Cody just followed behind her, but did check under the rug to see if there was any clues. Once he found nothing, he followed after Twilight.

“Celestia’s orders!” Twilight yelled as Spike jumped and frantically followed. Cody rolled his eyes.

“Were your ears stuffed or something?!” Cody snapped, “Mom said that we need to be the ones who help Cadance and Shining Armor protect the empire. They said nothing that we can’t get help.” Twilight just glared and groaned as she checked the main throne and examined it further.

“Cody...look at that!” Twilight pointed out.

“At what?” Cody asked until he examined the throne and noticed a familiar crystal on the top of it. It was then both Cody and Twilight remembered something.

”If the Empire is filled with hope and love,” said Princess Celestia as she shot a beam at the crystal, making it shine, “those things are reflected across all of Equestria. If hatred and fear take hold...” Princess Celestia than made her eye look like Sombra as she fired a black beam at the crystal.

“I get it!” Cody exclaimed.

“Of course!” said Twilight. It was then Spike ran into Twilight from the back and fell over.

“Argh! What?” Spike asked panting as he got up, “Did you find it?”

“No,” Twilight answered, “Because this isn’t King Sombra’s castle.”

“Well, isn’t this where he lived when he was in power?” Spike asked puzzled.

“It is. But it didn’t look like this,” Twilight replied.

Twilight closed her eyes and grunted as she struggled to disguise her magic to look like King Sombra’s before she fired a black beam at the crystal above the throne. The crystal produced a dark shadow that revealed an underground spiral staircase from the floor. Twilight clapped her hands excitedly as Cody smiled in amazement.

“Whoa!” said Spike as he looked at the new passage, “When did you learn to do that?”

“That was a little trick Celestia taught me,” Twilight replied.

“By disguising her magic to look like King Sombra’s, Twilight was able to use her own magic to expose his illusion,” Spike then gulped as he looked down the deep passage and whimpered.

“You stay here,” Twilight said to Spike.

“Huh, if you insist,” Spike replied as he breathed a sigh of relief. Twilight then lit up her horn and the couple started to slowly descend the stairs. They hadn’t gone too far down when Spike leaned over to see them.

“Can you see what’s down there yet?” Spike called out, his voice echoing as he spoke. Twilight leaned forward over the stairs to try and scope the area below, but all she could see was darkness.

“Not yet,” Twilight replied, her own voice echoing as well, “I can’t even tell how far down this goes!”

Twilight broke off some crystal and dropped it down below. She then knelt forward waiting to hear the crystal make the sound that it landed. She then rubbed her ear and put a hand to it when there was a long silence.

“I’m waiting...” Cody complained softly as he tapped a foot on one of the steps.

“SHH!” Twilight said sternly as she waited a another couple of seconds and heard the clatter. Twilight and Cody cringed as they nervously looked down the stairs.

“Spike?” Twilight called out.

“Yeah?” the dragon replied.

“Can you see outside?” Twilight asked. Spike then looked outside. He immediately took notice that the barrier was flickering and thunder was rumbling outside.

“Yesss...Crystalsss,” King Sombra sneered as he used the black crystal that grew inside the barrier to turn the Crystal gate into black crystal. Spike cringed at the sight.

“It’s not good!” said Spike, “Cadance’s magic must be fading faster than before!”

Twilight went to run down the stairs with Cody right behind her. Suddenly, one of the steps cracked and Twilight lost her balance.

“Twilight! Eeeeyipe!” Cody cried out as he tried to grab her to help her re-balance herself but was too late and they both ended up tumbling down the stairs.

“Ugh! Ow!” Twilight cried as she painfully tumbled about.

“Oomph! Oop! Eep! Yipe! Ugh!” Cody cried out as he tumbled down right behind her. Twilight then used her magic to stop herself and Cody from landing on her head at the bottom of the stair case.

“Twilight? Cody? Are you okay?” Spike called out.

“Yes...” said Twilight as she used her teleportation magic to get them right side up.

“Thanks,” Cody said quietly.

It was then they saw a large wooden door. Twilight used her magic to try and open it. The door then suddenly scooted away from them.

“What in the...” said Twilight as she growled and charged at the door, but smacked into the wall.

“Stop...moving!” Twilight shouted as she exerted herself to disguise her magic once more so she could fire her magic at a black crystal right above the door. This made the door stationary and open up with a loud creak.

“Well, that worked,” Cody remarked as he and Twilight saw a bright light inside the door.

“Spike, I think it’s here!” said Twilight with a smile.

She and Cody then went inside. When the bright light faded, Twilight found herself without Cody and...inside the main throne room of Canterlot Castle?!

“Huh?” Twilight exclaimed in shock as she looked around for a moment.

“What are you doing here?” a very stern voice asked. Twilight saw that it was Princess Celestia, who was doing some letters alone with her back against the purple pony.

“I don’t know!” Twilight answered, “I opened the door and-”

“And now you must go,” Princess Celestia retorted, cutting Twilight off as she continued her letters.

“Go where?” said Twilight, feeling more confused than ever.

“Doesn’t matter to me,” Princess Celestia replied coldly, “You failed the test, Twilight.” Twilight looked in deep shock.

“I don’t understand,” said Twilight confused, “The test?”

“Not only will you not move on to the next level of your studies, you won’t continue your studies at all!” Princess Celestia continued sternly. Twilight felt her heart break as she look more devastated as she sat on the floor.

“I...You didn’t say anything about no longer being your student if I failed!” Twilight replied as her eyes watered. Princess Celestia lifted a wing to comfort her, before roughly pushing her out of the way.

“Didn’t I?” Princess Celestia retorted.

“But... what do I do now?“ Twilight asked. She then looked at a window showing her defeat by King Sombra, whose laugh echoed from it. Twilight just knelt on the floor and began to cry.

Meanwhile, Cody felt like he was back in Canterlot without Twilight next to him.

“Twilight?! Mom?! Father?! Anyone?!” he called out, but no one answered.

Suddenly, he heard the clanking of AT-AT and AT-ST walkers advancing up the mountain and TIE fighters zooming through the sky. He also looked up and saw a fleet of star destroyers. Cody then noticed stormtroopers were sacking the city, being led by Darth Claw and Darth Vader, who he could hear breathing ominously.

“Cody! Help us!” Twilight shouted as she and the others, including his uncle Dagger, tried to hold back the stormtroopers.

He then noticed his parents, aunt, and Cal facing the two Sith, only for them to be overpowered and killed in front of him. Cody could also see Twilight, Sunset, and the others being killed in front of him.

At first, Cody felt so sad and depressed that he could cry and he did, until he snapped back and came to his senses, “No! This isn’t real! Equestria will not fall to the Empire as long as my friends and I defend it! We will help our fellow rebels to end the Empire’s tyranny for good!” he said bravely.

“Twilight! Cody! Twilight! Cody!” somepony called out as Twilight’s and Cody’s surroundings faded. Spike had made his way down the staircase. Apparently Twilight and Cody hadn’t moved through the door at all. Twilight and Cody were just sitting before the door, the former with red and green eyes and a devastated look on her face.

“Twilight? Cody?” Spike called out, “Twiiiilight! Coooody!” Twilight and Cody snapped out of it as she looked rather upset.

“I know you told me to stay up there, but you were down here for such a long time and you weren’t answering and I got so worried so I came down here and you and Cody were staring at that wall and... I was calling yours and Cody’s names, but I couldn’t seem to get your attention, and-” Spike explained quickly then stopped when he noticed the door only lead to a blank wall, “What were you looking at? I mean...it’s just a wall...” It was then the black crystal triggered, creating an illusion for Spike and making his eyes green and red.

“Ponyville? Well, how did I get...” Spike said puzzled until he saw something that had him in tears, “No! I don’t wanna go! Please, Cody! I thought we were brothers! Please, Twilight, don’t make me!”

SLAM!

Twilight sternly slammed the door shut, snapping Spike out of it but his tears remained.

“King Sombra’s dark magic,” Twilight explained, “A doorway that leads to your worst fear.”

“We were home,” said Spike sadly as he cried, “You and Cody told me you didn’t need me anymore. You were sending me away!” Twilight pulled Spike into a hug.

“I saw something far worse than you and Twilight did, Spike,” Cody replied.

“What did you see?” Twilight asked.

“I saw a repeat of my first Force vision from when I was five, only all of you, Cal, and my family were in it. The Empire was invading Equestria and sacking Canterlot, you were all being slaughtered by Darth Claw and Darth Vader in front of me,” Cody explained.

“A fear that will never come to pass,” Twilight replied softly to Spike, “I’m never gonna send you away. Neither will Cody, and we’re not going to fail this test.”

“The Empire will not conquer Equestria so long as all of us can defend it!” Cody added.

Twilight nodded before she both fired a normal magic blast at the black crystal. This caused the illusion to be destroyed and the true room that was behind the door appeared. Cody and Twilight walked eagerly inside, but then groaned and lowered their heads when they saw what was inside.

“What’s in there?” Spike asked.

“Stairs,” Cody and Twilight replied sheepishly, “Lots and lots of stairs.”

Twilight and Cody ventured forward, but then they both stopped.

“Maybe you should come with us this time,” Twilight said to Spike.

“Good thinking. C’mon, little buddy!” Cody added. Spike smiled happily as he proudly followed them from behind as they made their up the stairs.

Back outside the palace balcony, Cadance was starting to tire out again as her horn glow was continuing to flicker. Shining Armor took notice and then glared as he heard King Sombra’s wicked laughter in the distance, followed by more rumbling thunder. The wicked king had not only managed to restore his broken horn, but was also creating two dark shadows from the blackened Crystal gate as he laughed wickedly once more.

Elsewhere inside the palace, Twilight and Cody were continuing their venture up what felt like an endless staircase. Spike was struggling just to pull himself up from one step to the next.

“What if this is just more of his magic?” Spike asked as Twilight titled her head slightly to the side and then stuck her tongue out in deep thought while Cody just looked up and scratched his chin, “He makes a door that leads you to your worst nightmare. Why not a staircase that goes on forever?” Twilight and Cody stopped moving as they were one stair flight above the dragon. They then looked back and then upward.

“Good point,” said Cody, “I wouldn’t put it past Sombra to do that.” Twilight hummed in agreement before she used her magic to carry Spike piggyback.

“Babe, what if...” Twilight whispered to Cody, who then smiled excitedly.

“I’ve been wanting to try that out,” Cody replied eagerly, “Let’s do it!”

Twilight then made some sounds of exertion as she made her horn glow. Suddenly, they were lifted into the air, turned over upside down and then began to slide down the underside of the stairs. They had successfully reversed gravity on themselves.

“Whoa. Whoaaa! Yaaaah!” Twilight called out excitedly.

“Yaaaa-hoooo!” Cody shouted excitedly as well as they enjoyed their ride down their own makeshift slide.

Back outside, King Sombra’s effort of taking over had not gone unnoticed. Elbow Grease noticed the blackened crystal building and his sparkle faded instantly. Rarity, who was nearby with her crafts stand, quickly made the stallion something to make him sparkle again. Rarity smiled and waved him goodbye before frantically trying to continue making crafts to keep the crystal ponies cheerful. But then another crystal building turned into black crystal, causing Fleur De Verre to cry out in distress and run away. A few other crystal ponies then began to chatter with each other, clearly frightened as Rarity tried to catch up with him. Meanwhile, Applejack was trying to keep the crystal ponies away from the fake Heart, dozens of crystal ponies were now surrounding it and they had all lost their sparkle. It wasn’t long before Rarity arrived.

“Excuse me, pardon me,” said Rarity with a nervous laugh before heading towards Applejack.

“I am running out of weaving materials for the traditional crafts booth!” Rarity told Applejack in a hushed tone, “I just made a hat out of three pieces of hay and a drinking straw.” It was then the crystal pony wearing that very hat appeared in the foreground, “I made it work. But still.”

“We gotta do everything we can to keep this thing goin’,” said Applejack, “The Princess isn’t looking so good.” That was an understatement. Shining Armor was sitting down as he held his clearly exhausted wife as she was literally using every last bit of energy she had to keep the barrier up, but her horn was flicking even more now.

“I can’t imagine her magic is gonna last much longer,” Applejack pointed out before trying to remain optimistic, “It’s gonna be fine. These ponies are gonna power up the Crystal Heart when the time comes, and we won’t be needin’ her magic anyway.” As Applejack spoke, the crowd of crystal ponies continued to grow.

“I sure hope that time comes soon!” Pinkie pointed out as she tried to balance on a ball and juggle flugelhorns, “Even I can’t keep this party going forever!” Pinkie then shrieked as she lost her balance and tumbled to the ground, dropping the flugelhorns as one bonked her on the head. Unfortunately her ball bounced into the covered fake Heart, knocking it out from underneath the blanket and exposing it to the crystal ponies.

“This isn’t the Crystal Heart,” said Crystal Beau.

“Oh, of course it isn’t,” said Rarity with a nervous laugh as Applejack put on a nervous smile on her face, “The real one is-”

“On it’s way!” Applejack blurted out.

“I was going to say “being polished” to buy us some more time?” Rarity retorted in a hushed tone.

“Oops,” said Applejack as she and Rarity put on some sheepishly smiles on their faces as the two ponies and Pinkie were surrounded by crystal ponies. The crystal ponies then saw the barrier fading as King Sombra laughed.

“It’s...It’s him!” Sapphire Joy shouted as the other crystal ponies cried out in distress.

“Crystal heart...” King Sombra said sinisterly as his shadow form increased in size.

As for Cody, Twilight, and Spike, they were having the time of their lives. Well Twilight and Cody were enjoying themselves as Spike hung onto Twilight for dear life.

“Whoooooahahaha!” Twilight and Cody cried out happily.

“I actually studied gravity spells, thinking it might be on our test! Turns out we were prepared for this! Wooo-hooo!” Twilight told Spike. She and Cody both laughed as they reached the end of the slide and Twilight flipped herself, Cody, and Spike right side up again.

THUD!

Unfortunately, they were rather high into the air and ended up making a hard landing on the floor below. Correction, Cody and Spike landed on the floor at the top of tower. Once the three of them had recovered, they all gasped in awe at what was there. Before them in the middle of a circular floor was...the real Crystal Heart.

“That’s it!” said excitedly as Twilight smiled. Spike then gestured for Cody and/or Twilight to go grab it.

“Okay, first we need to figure if...Twilight, no, NO!” Cody called out Twilight had taken off toward the heart. As soon as her fore-hoof touched the innermost circle of the floor, it glowed red and an alarm sound went off.

“I knew this looked too easy, it’s a trap!” Cody said. King Sombra then growled as a rumble was heard and the two ponies then dived at the Crystal Heart as black crystals surrounded them both. In their haste, the Crystal Heart had slipped out of their hands and neither were aware that it had fallen outside of the black crystal prison. Cody and Twilight looked fearfully at the black crystals as more evil laughter was heard. Lightning struck outside as the barrier continued to flicker.

“The Heart...” said Twilight as she and Cody looked around, “Where’s the Crystal-”

“I don’t know,” Cody interrupted as she searched as well, “I tried to grab it but I lost my grip on it.”

“Here!” Spike replied as he pointed at the heart and some point black crystals emerging from the floor, “It rolled over to me when you dropped it!”

“Don’t move!” Twilight said as Spike tried to approach the two trapped ponies, causing more black crystals to appear from the floor and Spike nearly got his feet poked by them.

“You can move, just not toward us!” Twilight corrected as Spike backed up so he was standing right beside the heart. She then used her magic to try and teleport out of the black crystal prison. But as soon as she made it out, King Sombra’s dark magic pulled her right back into their little prison. Cody tried to cut them out with his lightsaber, but the crystals grew back.

“You have to get out of there! You have to be the ones who bring the Crystal Heart to Princess Cadance! If you don’t, you’ll fail Celestia’s test!” Spike said.

Cody and Twilight exchanged worried looks with each other.

“King Sombra is already attacking the Empire,” said Twilight as she and Cody watched the thunder and flickering barrier as Sombra’s magic was gaining more and more power, “He could reach the Crystal Ponies at any moment...reach Princess Cadance, my brother, our friends. There may not be enough time to find a way to escape.” Cody listened carefully before narrowing his eyes in determination.

“Then none of it matters now,” Cody said firmly.

“What?!” Twilight and Spike exclaimed.

“Passing or failing my mom’s test no longer matters now,” Cody said with a stern look on his face, “Cadance and Shining Armor need the Crystal Heart right now! Then the Crystal Ponies can power it up and defeat King Sombra! You know what we have to do...” As Twilight pondered for a moment, Spike was nervously trying to avoid the rising black crystals from poking his feet.

“You have to be the one to bring the Crystal Heart to the Faire,” Twilight told Spike sternly as she looked at him from a small opening from the black crystals.

“Me?” said Spike, “But Twilight, Cody-”

“Go!” Twilight shouted.

“But-” Spike protested.

“GOOOO!” Cody and Twilight shouted louder. Spike quickly picked up the Crystal Heart and dived outside of the tower just in time as black crystals sealed up any escape from it. Spike just nervously stood on the edge, figuring out how he could possible get down.

Back on the ground, the crystal ponies were in chatting with each other worriedly, especially at the sight of the increasing number of black crystals. The mane five along with Cadance and Shining Armor were on the balcony above.

“Now, don’t y’all worry your pretty, little Crystal heads!” said Applejack as she and Rarity waved at them, “The real Crystal Heart will be here any second!”

“I don’t know if they believe you...” Rarity pointed out in a hushed tone.

“Don’t know if I believe me...” Applejack remarked honestly. Then Cadance’s magic faded completely, causing the barrier to dissolve.

“He’s back! I can’t take it!” Sapphire Joy shrieked, “Ugh!” As the crystal pony attempted to make a run for their life, they crashed into one of the black crystals as King Sombra appeared shaped like a shadow serpent before them.

“Ahhhhh...” King Sombra remarked deviously.

“King Sombra...!” Sapphire Joy cried out as she shrieked again.

“My crystal slaves...” King Sombra said evilly.

Up above the group, Spike was frantically trying to find a way down.

“Whoa! Huh!” said Spike before spiting some fire as he tried to avoid the ever increasing number of black crystals.

“Yah!” Spike yelped nervously as he jumped toward a tall structure with a narrow and twisted path before calling out, “Hey! Up here!” Rarity was the first to notice him.

“Spike?” Rarity called out as Applejack and Pinkie looked up. Shining Armor looked up as well as the rest of the group looked worried.

“I got the Crystal Heart!” Spike called out loudly. Sadly, Kind Sombra heard him as well.

“That is mine!” he said as he burrowed underground and made his way towards the dragon. Spike then made his way down the thin and twisted platform. King Sombra then made a large black crystal crag appear as he stood on the top of it with his restored physical form, as it rose up to intercept Spike and the Crystal Heart.

But then, Spike tripped and fell, dropping the Crystal Heart, as they both fell right toward King Sombra. Rarity gasped.

“Spikey-wikey!” Rarity cried out as the rest of the group cringed, except for Cadance and Shining Armor. He quickly put Cadance onto his back. She looked up wearily and saw Spike and the falling Crystal Heart in the distance. She also saw King Sombra rising on top of the black crystals to intercept them, growling with determination. Cadance then opened her wings as King Sombra inched closer to Spike and the Crystal Heart. Shining Armor held Cadance with both his arms and threw her as hard as he could.

“Hah,” said King Sombra as he was within reaching distance of Spike and the Crystal Heart, “Huh?” Then Cadance zoomed by at top speed, grabbing the Crystal Heart with new found magic and Spike grabbed Cadance’s back before Sombra had a chance to do so. Spike held on for dear life as Cadance flew through the sky at top speed. The crystal ponies all watched in awe and amazement.

“Behold!” Bright Smile said to the others, “The Crystal Princess!” Cadance then landed firmly before them, smashing the fake heart to pieces.

“The Crystal Heart has returned,” Cadance told them all, “Use the light and love within you to ensure that King Sombra does not.” Cadance then tossed the heart in the center area where two pillars of crystal appeared that magically levitated the Crystal Heart into place. The crystal ponies all sparkled as they knelt before the Crystal Heart. As they did so, the ground around them began to glow light blue.

“What?” said King Sombra in shock, “No...No! Stop!” But the blue glow soon lit up all the streets in the empire before the glowing magic all converged into the crystal heart. The heart began to rotate quickly before it gave off a large and powerful wave of blue colored magic. Turning Cadance, Spike, Shining Armor, and the Mane Six into crystal ponies!

“Oooh!” Rarity giggled excitedly in her crystal form. As the magic wave passed by, all of Sombra’s black crystals and magic were destroyed, including the ones holding Cody and Twilight prisoner, allowing them to see each other in their crystal forms.

“Oh Twilight,” said Cody, mesmerized by her appearance, “You are a beautiful crystal pony.” Twilight smiled and giggled.

“Well, you’re a handsome crystal man,” she replied as they shared a quick kiss and smile with each other.

Outside, King Sombra gasped as the magic wave came at him. He screamed as the magic literally destroyed him completely, leaving nothing but his red horn, as the magic wave carried it off, hopefully never to be seen again. The magic wave pushed back the dark clouds as a large beam of light erupted from the top of the Empire’s tower, creating the northern lights across the skies of Equestria. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna watched the site from within their castle before the former tapped her horn against the latter, making them both smile. The rest of the Mane Six smiled as Applejack and Pinkie shared a high-hoof, and then Shining Armor embraced his wife happily as she and Spike landed on the balcony. Cadance then waved at the crystal ponies as they cheered happily. Spike, however, winced a bit before looking up. While he couldn’t see them, Cody and Twilight were looking down at the group from above with Cody holding Twilight close as they sighed and squatted down to the floor.

“Good job Spike,” Twilight said softly.

“Mission accomplished,” Cody added, “I hope...”

Now the crystal ponies were sparkling all the time now and were much more cheerful as they interacted with each other about the city. Once the celebration had ended and Cadance had been given time to get a good night’s rest, the Princess and Prince escorted Cody, the Mane Six, and Spike to the train station.

“I do so wish it was permanent,” said Rarity, lamenting over the fact the crystal transformation was only temporary, “Did you see how my mane just absolutely sparkled?”

“But...good things are better when they’re a rarity,” Applejack replied giving the white pony a wink.

“Aww,” said Rarity as she laughed at Applejack’s little pun. Shining Armor and Cadance were walking alongside Twilight and Cody as they arrived at the train station. Both Cody and Twilight were still worried.

“Everything’s going to be okay,” Shining Armor assured Twilight and Cody, “You two gotta stop saving my rump like this. It’s starting to get embarassing.” Shining Armor was only teasing as Twilight sheepishly looked away as Cody just playfully rolled his eyes.

“It wasn’t us who saved you in the end,” Twilight reminded her older brother, “It was Spike.”

“It’s just a test,” said Shining Armor, “Maybe she’ll let you retake it.” Cadance then discreetly smacked Shining Armor on the side with one of her wings.

“I don’t think she’s gonna give us a new test,” said Twilight as she and Cody turned to walk sadly to their train.

Back in Canterlot, Cody and Twilight were with Princess Celestia and Prince Blaze. Spike was anxiously pacing back and forth in front of the doors outside the castle as the rest of the mane seven were waiting for the couple as well. Pinkie sat down and chewed on her horseshoes with Applejack putting a hand on her back for comfort. Fluttershy just sat quietly worried as Rarity reclined on the ground in dramatic fashion. Rainbow just hovered about with a worried look on her face.

“Keep it together, buddy...” Spike said to himself as he breathed heavily, “Gotta stay strong...for Twilight and Cody...” Spike stood before the front door, wishing he could hear what was going on.

Inside the main hall, Princess Celestia was just looking out of a window. The magical lights of the Crystal Empire were still gracing the sky. Cody and Twilight were just standing nearby with their heads low. They had given the alicorn princess their full report on what had happened.

“It’s beautiful,” Princess Celestia remarked at the sight.

“I wish it had been us who ultimately made it so,” said Twilight, “But it wasn’t.”

“King Sombra was gaining power at a rapid rate,” Cody added, “We had no choice but to let somepony else save the day.” Princess Celestia approached them, next to her was a new stained glass window of Spike saving the Crystal Heart.

“Twilight, Cody, as I understand it,” said Princess Celestia with a smile, “Spike brought Princess Cadance the Crystal Heart because you weren’t sure how quickly you could find a way to escape the tower. Neither of you were willing to risk the future of the citizens of the Crystal Empire in an effort to guarantee your own. Far better that Blaze and I each have students who understand the meaning of self-sacrifice than one who only looks out for their own best interests.” Cody and Twilight lifted their heads to face Princess Celestia.

“Does this mean...?” they asked together anxiously.

“Yes, you passed your test,” Celestia replied.

“As for you, Cody. You successfully passed your trial of protection,” Blaze added.

“When Twilight and I were searching for the Crystal Heart, we came across a door that leads to one’s worst fear. When I looked through it, I saw a repeat of my first Force vision of the Empire invading our planet and I felt sad and depressed at first, but I soon faced my fear and figured out that it was just an illusion,” Cody explained.

“We’re proud of you, Cody. You passed your trial of fear as well,” Blaze replied.

Back outside, Spike was beginning to panic.

“They’re totally gonna lose it!” Spike said as he breathed heavily, “Keep it together, buddy...you gotta stay strong...for Twilight and Cody...!”

THUD!

Spike then got the door smacked into his face as both Cody and Twilight came out. The others just looked at them worried.

“We passed!” Cody and Twilight said together excitedly as they jumped into the air. The rest of their friends all smiled and cheered for them.

“Ooh,” said Cody and Twilight happily as they held each other and jumped about before they gave Spike a hug. Rarity then began to sing.

Rarity walked up to Twilight and Cody, the two of them made an O with their mouths as their cheeks turned light pink from feeling slightly embarassed. Rarity then raised their chins as the three of them walked side by side.

Rarity (sings):
You were prepared to do your best
Had what it takes to pass the test
All those doubts you can dismiss
turn out you were...

Then all but Spike zipped away, making the dragon make an O shape with his mouth.

Everyone minus Twilight and Cody (sing):
...prepared for this!

Applejack wrapped an arm around Twilight from the side as she, Twilight, Cody, and Rarity walked along.

Applejack (sings):
You clearly have just what it takes

Pinkie appeared as the they all left walking on some tall stilts, but then lost her balance. The group winced as Pinkie crash landed.

Pinkie (sings):
To pass a test with such high stakes

Fluttershy flew over to the group from the right.

Fluttershy (sings):
We knew for sure you would prevail

Rainbow hovered above as she reclined lazily on a cloud.

Rainbow (sings):
Since when do these two ever fail?

All but Twilight and Cody all march out of Canterlot single file with Applejack leading the way and Twilight and Cody at the back as the other sing together. They were then seen walkin in a v shape with Twilight and Cody in the middle.

Everyone minus Cody and Twilight (sing):
All those doubts that you can dismiss
Trust yourself and you cannot miss

Applejack, Pinkie, and Rarity stand side by side to Cody’s left.

Applejack, Pinkie, and Rarity (sing):
Turns out you were

Cody (sings):
Turns out I was

Rainbow and Fluttershy hover together in the background while Spike stood in the foreground on Twilight’s right.

Rainbow and Fluttershy (sing):
Turns out you were

Twilight (sings):
Turns out I was

All but Twilight and Cody finished the song, they were all riding the train together as it headed back home to Ponyville. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna watch the train disappear. They quickly exchange smiles and some nods before Princess Luna showed Princess Celestia a book with a dark blue cover.

...prepared for this!

“Yeah, I knew everything was going to be fine,” said Spike with a nervous laugh as he sat next to Twilight before leaning forward and giving a long sigh. Twilight and Cody just exchanged smirks with each other and then a kiss.