Chapter 8

Outside of the Crystal Empire's borders, Twilight, her friends, and Princess Luna watched the comings and goings of the crystal ponies from their vantage point. It looked like it was a day like any other in the crystal city, but patrols of shadow creatures in the streets were the only thing that said otherwise. The crystal ponies avoided these patrols as soon as they saw them and stayed far away.

Twilight was looking towards the tower that sat in the middle of the city, her mane blowing loosely in the wind. Inside that tower were her brother and beloved sister-in-law, held in the clutches of Tyranny.

Despite the reassurances from her friends, Twilight still worried for her family. None of her friends truly knew if they were alright. Images of Shining Armor and Princess Cadence floating listlessly in the Realm of Shadow haunted her.

A comforting hoof rested on her shoulder. "Ah know you're worried, Twi, but don't let yourself get caught up in worryin'. Ah believe Princess Cadence and Shining Armor are in there a-okay," Applejack said.

"But we don't know that, Applejack. You've seen what Tyranny can do, what he did to Trixie and the others. Who knows what he would do to Cadence or Shining?"

"Ah know, sugarcube. But ya gotta believe they're ok, you can't focus if yer held up by yer fears. We'll get them out. Don't ya fret."

"Besides, dear, that lout Tyranny wouldn't do anything rash. Remember what Princess Celestia said? He's a careful planner and schemer. It wouldn't do to have them sent to that dreadful place. He'll likely want to keep them close by," Rarity said as she stood by Twilight.

"Actually, it was Discord who—"

"Rarity's right, Twilight." Pinkie said, interrupting Fluttershy. "It's kind of like candy. When you want to get a snack, you keep your favorite, most-delicious candy nearby so that you could have the best for when you get snacky."

"Yeah, I don't think comparing Princess Cadence and Twilight's brother to candy would be the best comparison," Rainbow Dash said dryly.

"If they were candy, what do you think they'd be? Oh, I bet it's gumdrops!"

"Pinkie!" chided more than one of her friends.

Twilight, however smiled at Pinkie's levity. It was just like the pink mare to bring a smile even during the grimmest of times.

Brushing aside a grateful tear, she smiled warmly to her friends. "Thanks girls," she said and the six shared a group hug, something Twilight dearly needed.

"It is best you go in under the cover of night, Princess Twilight," Luna said, breaking up the moment. "Also, it is best that all of you have the Elements of Harmony, in case you confront Tyranny. First and foremost, you must rescue Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor. The Crystal Tower belongs to Tyranny now, and a confrontation with him will leave you at a disadvantage. Once you have set them free, we can meet with my sister and plan a confrontation on our own terms."

"He'll likely have them secured in the holding chambers below the tower." Twilight looked to Luna with a furrowed brow. "You're not coming with us, Princess Luna?"

Luna shook her head. "Tyranny can likely to sense my presence from afar. If I were to accompany you, it would likely lead to a confrontation we are not ready for."

"It should be a good night for movin' around quiet like. Looks like the crystal pegasi are puttin' together a storm." Applejack motioned to a part of the sky where a team of pegasi were putting the finishing touches on a rainstorm.

"A storm?! That would be a dreadful time to be outside in any occasion," Rarity said.

Rainbow Dash huffed. "It isn't going to be any big storm, Rarity. That's just going to be a squall. Besides, a little rain never hurt anyone."

Rarity turned up her nose and sniffed. "I beg to differ."

"Let's not get into a fight over how wet we might get. We're going in to get Princess Cadence and my brother out of there." Twilight's gaze hardened as she looked back towards the crystal tower.

"Heck yeah we are, and we'll kick some flank while we're at it." Rainbow rubbed her front hooves together in anticipation.

"We're not going to pick a fight, Rainbow Dash. We're not going to be seen," Twilight said.

"Oh! Like a ninja. All stealthy and unseen and swift as the wind," Pinkie Pie bounced in excitement, already dressed in dark ninja attire.

"You really think we aren't going to be seen?" Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow incredulously.

"No, we won't." Twilight started down the cliff towards the city.

Rainbow didn't believe it, but if they were discovered, she would be ready to protect her friends.

As night and rain fell over the Crystal Empire, the girls made their way through the city. They moved from cover to cover as they snuck towards the Crystal Tower. The rain fell at a steady, soaking pace, the occasional flash of lightning illuminating the streets.

In fear of being spotted by the frequent patrols, Twilight didn't dare use her magic to light the way. Her friends followed her lead closely through the city.

They made it to the last home before the open plaza of the Crystal Tower without mishap; however, the entrance of the tower was guarded by a quartet of shadow creatures. They made no indication of moving, standing silent yet watchful. Twilight knew they would not move from their posts unless they had a good reason.

"Well this certainly poses a problem," Rarity whispered, rain sliding off the rain hat she insisted on wearing. "How are we going to get past those ruffians, Twilight?"

"I don't know, and it doesn't look like they're going to move anytime soon either," she said, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.

"Should we go back and get Princess Luna?" Fluttershy said, her shivering having nothing to do with the cold.

"No, Fluttershy, we need to do this on our own," Twilight said.

"Patrol coming." Applejack warned.

The six of them hid behind the house and its foliage as a patrol of shadow creatures made their way towards the tower. Between them, they dragged a struggling crystal pony, her eyes wide with fear.

"State your business," The sentry's voice was like ice, void of any emotion or warmth.

"This one was out past curfew. She is to be jailed immediately," replied the patrol's leader, its voice no different.

"Very well, take her away." The captive sobbed as two of the door guards dragged her inside.

"I only wanted to find my cat," Her crying was cut off as the door slammed shut. In a puff of smoke, two more creatures appeared to take the place of the two who had removed the prisoner. The patrol turned back down the street from which it came.

"That poor pony." Twilight had watched the whole scene with a sickened expression.

"And her cat," Fluttershy whispered, tears rimming her eyes.

Rainbow Dash growled, jabbing at the air a few time. "I can't wait to get my hooves on Tyranny. Jailing innocent ponies because they were out looking for their lost pet? That really makes me mad."

"You and me both." Applejack gritted her teeth.

"Such is the rule of a despot." Rarity wiped at her eyes.

"A despa-what-now?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"A despot is somepony who rules in a tyrannical and cruel way." Her attention on the guards, Twilight's answer was like an automated reply.

Pinkie giggled. "It still sounds silly."

"Quiet now. We don't want ta get caught either," Applejack said as she kept watch down the road.

"So how are we getting in? Thrash the guards and bust down the door?" Rainbow asked.

"No, if we take out the guards, Tyranny will know we're here," Twilight said as she studied the almost lifeless creatures guarding the door. "We're going to need a distraction,"

"On it!" Rainbow leaped ahead.

"No, Rainbow Dash!" Twilight said quickly, using her magic to grab the pegasus by the tail and yank her back to cover. She looked quickly to see if the creatures took notice, and sighed in relief as they remained unmoving.

"You said you needed a distraction." Rainbow frowned as she dangled upside down from her tail.

"Not caused by us. We'll need everypony to save Cadence and Shining."

"Who then?" Rainbow asked as Twilight dropped her to the ground.

Twilight brooded on the question.

"We could always let ourselves be captured. They'd take us right to where Princess Cadence and Shining Armor are," Pinkie Pie chimed in with her usual smile.

All she received were glares.

"Just an idea," she said.

Twilight's eyes widened suddenly and she grinned. "I'll make an illusion of another crystal pony. The guards will chase it away and give us time to get inside before they come back."

"That might actually work, but will they not get suspicious if the pony suddenly vanishes?" Rarity asked.

"I'll make sure to release the spell out of their sight."

"Sounds like a plan to me." Applejack nodded.

"Ok, once they are out of sight we will have to hurry, in case more of them come back."

The girls nodded and readied themselves to rush the door.

Twilight took in a deep breath. "Here goes," she said, and her horn glowed. A short distance away a crystal pony appeared and walked towards the tower. The observant eye would've noticed that the rain fell through the conjured pony; luckily the shadow creatures didn't have such a distinguishing ability. As one, they turned towards the visage.

"Citizen, halt, and prepare for questioning," they said in unison.

The pony fled down the road, and the four guards took off in pursuit.

"You did it, Twilight." Fluttershy smiled to her friend.

"This is really hard to hold, get to the door, girls," Twilight said through gritted teeth.

As the girls ran, Twilight's illusion jumped behind a building and vanished. She ran for the door, only to find it was still closed.

"What's wrong with the door?" she asked.

"It won't budge!" Rainbow's words were strained from the effort. She, Applejack, and Pinkie were shoving against the door, but it wouldn't move.

"The pony?" Rarity asked worriedly.

"I already dispelled it." Twilight's eyes widened in panic.

"They're coming back!" Fluttershy said frantically.

"Everypony push!" Twilight said as they shoved against the door together. The door gave only slightly to their efforts.

"Come on… " Rainbow pushed against the door with all she had.

Crashing against the wall, the door flew open and they tumbled inside.

"The door, the door, the door!" Twilight said.

Applejack quickly shut the door. Just in time for the guards to return and take up their posts again, none the wiser.

Twilight freed herself from the tangle of ponies and glanced around. The foyer was empty. She turned and offered Rarity a helping hoof up.

"Thank you, darling. Now I suppose we'll have to find where they're being held." She adjusted her mane to its perfect setting.

"They would be in the lower levels; the holding cells are there, and the center stairwell is the only way to get there. I can't see Tyranny putting them anywhere else. If he didn't… " With a shake of her head, Twilight looked back to her friends. "Let's stay together; that way we can—" frowning, she looked around the room. "Where is Pinkie Pie?"

"She was just here a moment ago," Fluttershy said. She squeaked in fright as her body glowed and vanished.

"Fluttershy!" the remaining four shouted.

Twilight heard Rarity gasp before the unicorn disappeared in a flash of light.

"What—?" Rainbow Dash disappeared.

"Twilight?" Applejack asked worriedly before she faded.

"Applejack? Rainbow? Rarity? Oh Fluttershy? Pinkie Pie? Where are you? What is going on?" Twilight's hooved clopped loudly as she darted around the room. She fully expected to disappear as well, yet she never did.

"But how? Where?"

She looked up as a dark, mocking chuckle echoed through the halls.

Twilight's eyes widened. Tyranny knew! He knew they were in the crystal tower, and he had let them only believe their infiltration was successful. Twilight hurried down the hallway, hoping to find her friends before he did.