Here's the sixth chapter; now to be completely honest - I feel the writing wasn't very strong in this chapter, but it is very important! Intrestingly, this features more of Comet Tail than Twilight, who's completely absent in the chapter apart from a few mentions. This continues from chapter 5, not long after the events of "Three's a Crowd".

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Chapter 6: A Sneaky, Dangerous Plan

After what felt like an eternity to Comet Tail, the train steamed to a halt at the Crystal Empire railway station. The guards were first to get out of the train, shortly followed by Cadance. Then Comet Tail got out of his coach and looked around in wonderment.

"This must be what the Crystal Empire looks like," he said to himself in amazement, "I'm impressed; much better than I thought it would be."

Comet Tail made his way around the empire until he came across a Crystal Pony tour guide.

"Pardon me, miss," he said, "but I was wondering if you wouldn't mind showing me around the place?"

"Certainly, sir," said the tour guide. So within seconds, she began showing Comet Tail around the Crystal Empire.

"On your left, you'll see the Crystal Empire Library," said the tour guide.

"Very nice," said Comet Tail, faking interest in the tour.

"Far over to the right are the fields where we harvest Crystal Berries," the guide continued, "and on the opposite sides is where the Ewes are. We keep them that far away from the berries in case they get ideas if you know what I mean."

Berries and ewes were the least of Comet Tail's concern; he was desperate to get to the castle.

"And here is the spa," continued the tour guide, "if you're in need of some sprucing up, then this is the place for you."

"I see," said Comet Tail.

---

Eventually, as he wished, the tour ended near the castle where Shining Armor and Cadance resided. Now this was the chance Comet Tail had waited for.

Any second now, he thought, I'm one step closer to Twilight's heart.

"…and that concludes our tour of the Crystal Empire," said the tour guide, "now, are there any questions?"

"Ah, nope. I'm good," said Comet Tail, "I can find my way back from the moon."

"Glad to hear," said the tour guide, leaving, "enjoy your visit!"

"Thanks," called Comet Tail, and watched until she was out of his sight. After making sure nopony was looking, he snuck on over to the castle entrance.

"Now where can I find a unicorn guard?" he said to himself.

As if by coincidence, he spotted a Crystal Empire guard coming his way. To Comet Tail's expectations, he was a unicorn.

"Perfect."

Quickly, the light yellow unicorn stallion hid behind a pillar, waiting to pounce like a lion watching its prey in silence. Timing his move just right, Comet Tail zoomed in front of the guard, startling him.

"Who goes there?!" demanded the guard, and before he knew it… ZOOM!

"What was that?!" ZOOM!

"No, 'who was that' is the correct question!"

The guard stood there in utter confusion as he kept seeing streaks of yellow zip past him. After a moment or two, he felt something tap his shoulder. Cautiously, the guard turned his head only to face Comet Tail, grinning widely.

"What are you doing there?!" the guard demanded crossly.

"Wanna know why they call me Comet Tail?"

"Huh? I don't know-" PUNCH!

---

Inside the castle, after doing a headcount, Shining Armor looked worried and concerned.

"Where's Vanguard?" he asked, "He hasn't returned yet."

The guards talked amongst themselves; they too were worried. "Let's hope nothing bad has happened to him," said Flash.

Suddenly, the doors burst open and "Vanguard" stepped in.

"Where have you been, Vanguard?" asked Shining Armor.

"Sorry I'm late, sir," the fake Vanguard lied, "I was minding my own business, but I got distracted and bonked me head into a wall. I was out cold for a few moments, but I soon woke up." He mentally hoped that Shining Armor would buy his excuse.

"I see," he said, "well, no matter; you're alright now Vanguard, so I'll let it slide."

The imposter made his way past the other guards, and then noticed the light orange Pegasus.

"So this is the Flash Sentry they're talking about," he muttered to himself. "Vanguard" faked a cheerful look and turned to Flash.

"You must be Flash Sentry," he said, acting somewhat polite and excited, "I've heard a lot about you and it is such an honor to meet you," he added, shaking his hoof.

"Why, yes, that's my name," said Flash, a little awkwardly, "I never knew I had a bit of fame outside of the Crystal Empire, to be honest."

"Well, surprise, surprise," said the imposter.

"So… what did you want to speak with me about?" asked Flash.

"Nothing much," replied the imposter, "just the usual day's events and such, y'know… and your friends from outside the Empire."

Flash gulped nervously. "Erm… what friends?" he asked, "The only friends I have around here are the other guards."

"And what do you and your guard friends do together, eh?"

"N-not much; we just get together, share stories about ourselves, pull the occasional prank on each other…"

"Vanguard" could see that Flash was getting anxious. "Nervous, are we?"

"Who-who said anything about being nervous?!" Flash spluttered hastily, "I, ah, have… duties to perform! For Shining Armor… yeah."

"Do you anypony by the name of Twilight Sparkle?"

Flash's eyes widened, he almost paled at the mention of the newest princess' name. "Vanguard" could tell.

"I-I-I m-met her once… m-many years ago," admitted a stuttering Flash, "b-but I hadn't seen her since until she became a princess."

"Is there anything you like about her?" the imposter Vanguard asked.

"Erm… her intelligence, her kindness, her bravery… and her beauty… I like her for who she is…" Flash was hoping Vanguard would stop bothering him, for he was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

"Good to hear," said "Vanguard", "well, I best be off now."

And with that, he trotted away to find Shining Armor.

"Phew," said Flash, "that was a relief – he was starting to creep me out a little."

Then a nasty thought came to him. Wait a minute… I just told Vanguard that I'm in love with Twilight! Well, sort of. What can I do now?!

---

Meanwhile, the Vanguard imposter made his way down the hall, thinking over what he got from Flash. Then suddenly, an idea flew into his head.

"I'd better get it approved by Shining Armor though," he said craftily.

"Vanguard" walked down the halls hoping to find Shining Armor or his office. As if by luck he found the white stallion unicorn heading back to the castle.

"Pardon me, sir," he called, "if you don't mind, but could we have a private word?"

"I don't see why not, Vanguard," replied Shining Armor, "follow me to the office."

The imposter smirked silently to himself as he followed Twilight's older brother. Wonderful…

---

"Now, what was it you wanted to tell me?" asked Shining Armor once they were inside. The office wasn't anything special; it was decorated with flags of the Crystal Empire, and flags with Shining Armor's cutie mark. He and the imposter Vanguard stood at opposite sides of a brown desk, the former sat on a leather chair whilst the latter was on a cushion.

"If you don't mind me making a special request, sir," said the imposter, "given your permission, of course."

"Permission granted."

"Would it be fine with you if I were to request a week's leave to Ponyville, as long as it's fine with you, of course?"

Shining Armor seemed curious at the phony guard's request. "For what purpose would this visit be?" he asked.

The imposter Vanguard needed to come up with an excuse. "Ah, I just feel like going out into the country for some fresh air and excitement," he fibbed. He hoped it would fool Shining Armor.

"Very well," he conceded, "you may have the week off in Ponyville."

"Thank you, sir," said the imposter. Brilliant, he thought, it's all coming in place. As he left to go to the train station, neither he nor Shining Armor knew that Cadance was eavesdropping.

Why is Vanguard so keen on going to Ponyville? she thought to herself, and walked off in worry, and then she spotted Flash.

"Oh, Flash," she said, "thank goodness I found you."

"What's the matter, your Highness?" he asked, concerned.

"I'd hate to inform you about this," Cadance replied, "but Vanguard is headed for Ponyville for the week."

"Ponyville?" asked Flash, and then a nasty thought came to him. "Oh no…"

"What?"

"I was forced to tell him about my love for Twilight, and I think he's headed to Ponyville to tell her! Oh, this is really bad! What can we do?!"

"I don't know for sure," said Cadance, "but you're right; this is bad. If word of this gets around, then Shining Armor will be furious!"

"Your Highness," said Flash, "I request permission to go after him. Something isn't right about him…"

"Permission granted."

Flash bowed to the princess, and then quickly departed after "Vanguard."

"I hope you know what you're doing," said Cadance quietly.

---

Meanwhile, "Vanguard" was hiding outside the train station. He didn't know that Flash had been following him the whole time in the air.

Now what's he up to? Flash thought to himself, a look of suspicion on his face.

When he thought nopony was watching him, "Vanguard" took off his armor, and used his magic to transform into Comet Tail. The light blinded Flash for a moment or two, but once his vision cleared, he gasped quietly.

An imposter! he thought, I must get a closer look, but not too close, just in case I accidentally get spotted…

"With the copycat potion I brewed up," said Comet Tail to himself, "it can allow me to transform who I want to be! Ah, Comet Tail, you're such a genius! Who knew that learning by the book can always pay off?"

Comet Tail? How dare he do such a deceitful thing! Flash thought angrily, I may not be a long-time guard, but even I know pretending to be a guard is a crime!

Afraid of being spotted, Flash made sure he was out of Comet Tail's range, and then he bought a ticket to Ponyville. A few moments later, Comet Tail done the same thing, and then both stallions boarded separate coaches.

"Not long now," Comet Tail grinned to himself, "soon, Twilight Sparkle will see I'm the only stallion she'll want, not that pathetic Flash Sentry!"

In the other coach, Flash had a look of determination across his face.

"I'm not letting Comet Tail ruin my chance for happiness and love," he said to himself, "he's a traitorous liar and is not getting away with this!"

"But if he tries to stop me…" Comet Tail was saying.

"…I don't care what it takes…" Flash was saying.

"…to win Twilight's heart!"

"Like the old saying goes…"

At this point, both Comet Tail and Flash Sentry were not willing to let one another steal Twilight's heart from them.

"THIS MEANS WAR!" they both shouted.

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Oh no... now things are really beginning to heat up! If both stallions ever cross paths, is it all going to end in tears? Who is Twilight going to choose, and how will Shining Armor react, if he finds out? Only the next two chapters will determine our answer!