"Your... heart? Do you know where it is?" I ask, as I step towards the crystal being. It steps back into the opening in the spire and begins to merge back with it.

"MY HEART FOR THE TOWER, THAT IS THE DEAL HUMAN. THE CURSED WILL NOT NEAR ME, SO YOU ARE SAFE FOR THE TIME BEING."

The last bits of the being merge into the center crystal, making the spire whole again. I sigh in annoyance and turn back to the others. What is he talking about? His heart? If he didn't have his heart, wouldn't he be dead?

"What the fuck does he mean?" I mumble out loud as I pace about, trying to solve the riddle.

"I know. This is... confusing," Shining agrees, as he looks over the spire.

"Can't we just magic our way through him? He's solid crystal, it shouldn't be that hard." Rainbow says.

"No, navitas petram is a very unstable substance. We would risk blowing the entire city and the Crystal Empire halfway across the galaxy. We need to find this 'heart' of his if we're going to enter the city..."

"We can't give up the heart. Our people depend on it for safety. It's our beacon of hope." Shining defends.

"...Wait, you have his heart?" I ask.

"Well... I don't know. We call it the Crystal Heart...."

"OK, here's the plan. Twilight, Shining and I will go get the heart and return here as soon as possible."

"No we're not." Shining says, but is ignored.

"...The rest of you stay here and keep close to the spire. Apparently the zombies won't come near here, so it should be safe..."

"I can't let you take the heart."

"This shouldn't take longer than a day, so if we're not back by then try to contact us and use jumpers to search for us in the city, any questions?" I ask, getting Night Fury to raise a hoof.

"Why only you three?"

"Twilight’s shield should be helpful and we need Shining to get the Crystal heart. I'm the only one who can get us up to the surface, so we're the bare minimal amount. That, and our combined magic should make it easier to get around. Any other questions?" I ask, getting Shining to raise his hoof.

"What makes you think the Crystal Empire is going to give you the heart?"

"You let me worry about that. Now, can we get going or are there any other questions?"

"Well..."

"GOOD! Let’s get going then!" I shout, as I start to walk off. I hear some mumbling behind me, but ignore it as I continue my way back out the city. I look down to my arms and notice that the line have grown a third of the way up my arm. We need to move faster. I begin to try to remove my boots by stepping on the backs, when an ideal strikes me, making me take them off faster.

"Aren't you suppose to tie those on?" Shining asks as I finally free my feet.

"I need to move faster, but..." I ignite my heels and raise them a third of the way, then shut my hands off. "Better, don't you think?"

"Tremendously," Twilight says, with a smile. "So how should we do this? We can't go by rooftops."

"Call a spot and I'll go clear it for you guys to teleport. When we get close enough we'll go to that one roof we made near the entrance. We'll start using our shields to walk through the crowds."

"Why didn't we do that last time?" Shining asks, dumbfounded.

"We were caught off guard; let’s not repeat that mistake. Ready?" I ask, as I take my stance. They share a glance before smiling and taking their places beside me.

"Ready! That red carriage up on the left, go!"

I sigh as Miles runs off back through the city, Twilight and Shining Armor teleporting away with him. I was trying to get their attention to tell them that I could try talking to the Crystal Guardian, but I didn't want to interrupt them. Everypony begins to unpack their gear and relax a bit. I remove my armor and bags as I ready myself to speak to him. I'm sure he's a nice pony, probably really lonely with all of these monsters here.

"SOUPS ON EVERYPONY!" Applejack announces as she begins to pass around some food. I guess some food first couldn't hurt. We each take our portions and begin eating. The three mercenaries begin to gush about how good Applejack’s cooking is, telling her that her secret talent is cooking and she should open up a restaurant. She stays modest about it all, blushing a bit from all of the compliments.

I don't notice it at first, but when we begin sharing stories and laughing together, the spire behind us begins to shine brighter and brighter. The louder our merriment became, the more the light began to glow. As Fire Burst starts a very loud and energetic story I slip away from everypony and wake my way over to the spire. I can almost feel the energy radiating from it, warming me up and putting me at ease.

"Um... Cr-crystal Guardian?" I call out. "Well... I... uh... how are you?" It doesn't respond. He must not be the talkative kind. That's OK though. "If you don't want to talk, that's alright. I won't force you to. I just wanted to thank you for saving me." Nothing happens, though I didn't really expect anything to. I walk up to the crystal and nuzzle it a bit, trying my best to show my appreciation...

"EEP!" I jump back when a portion of the spire gives way, making a pathway. I blink a few times in confusion before slowly stepping towards it. Maybe he's going to show me something. Or maybe he can only talk in there. With a final glance back to my friends, I step into the crystal spire, getting the entrance to shut behind me.

"H-hello? Anypony there?" I ask aloud as I walk down the path being made for me. It's the only way I can go, so I walk down it as cautiously as possible. I don't think he'd try to hurt the pony he saved, but... I can't help but be nervous. "Crystal Guardian?"

"THERE IS SOMEONE I WISH FOR YOU TO MEET; HURRY!"

"Meet? You mean... Okay, take me to them," I say, as I trot down the path. Somepony lives here! Alive, not crazy... human. Another human! Miles will be so happy to hear this when he gets back. I follow through the jagged path where I find the P.C.H. It's standing in the center of the hollowed crystal spire with very little damage to it.

GO IN AND GO TO THE VERY TOP FLOOR! THE INSIGNIA IS OF A SCALE! SPEAK WITH HIM AND DO NOT FEAR! I WILL PROTECT YOU!"

"Wait, protect me? Why would I need protection?" I ask aloud. He doesn't answer me though. I take a deep breath before walking towards the P.C.H. He said he'd protect me, so I need to trust in him... though last time I put my trust in somepony... no. This is different. I push forward, stepping through the crystallized archways into the floor room. Though everything has been transformed, the Mico platforms are still here, seemingly unscathed. I walk around the room until I find the platform with the etching of a scale. Beneath it something has been carved into the crystal, but it's hard to read. Setting that aside I tentatively step forward and take it to the next floor. I appear in a large open room that shines brightly. The ceiling vaults up with thick supports and thin walls, allowing a view of the world outside. In the center of the room is a man sitting on a chair, facing away from me. He's wearing a simple black suit and has long black hair with streaks grey. With nothing else in the room, I walk towards him; taking slow, methodical breathes as I ready myself to speak with him.

"H-hello there." I say as I near him. He doesn't move. I don't think I was loud enough. "My n-names Fluttershy..."

"Fluttershy!" he practically yells, as he turns around to face me. He's an elderly person with dull grey eyes and a long scraggly graying beard. He stands to his feet and uses a stick to feel his way towards me. "Fluttershy, who are you Fluttershy?"

"I'm... a friend of the Crystal Guardians..."

"CEEGEE!" He yells in excitement. "CeeGee brought you here!? That's... wonderful, congratulations!" He booms, as he continues to search for me. "How far are you?"

"...Far? I'm sorry, but I don't understand..."

"SANUS! Stop questioning the girl and feed her already!" He yells as he looks to the left.

"Rabidus! Silence yourself! Introductions are in order." He snaps back as he looks to the right. "Fluttershy my dear, I am Sanus, and this is my brother Rabidus. We're the everlasting relicts of Ruby Canyon."

"Can you help us with something?"

"Not yet you daffy bastard! We need to earn her trust first!"

"Well then let’s feed her! The last one did it for food!"

"No, the last one stole the food, you let them get away!"

"Um... what's going on?" I ask, as he argues with himself.

"Where are our manners, please, come over here. I want to show you something," he says, as he begins to walk towards one of the windows. This guy is... a little unhinged, but I follow him over to the window now the less.

"What is it you want to show me?" I ask as I peer out the window, but the only visible thing is the thick crystal wall.

"Our city, lost to the cursed ones. Our only weapon against them was lost some time ago when the heart was stolen..."

"Bastard, no good thieves!"

"... now, now the city is lost."

"Or it was until you showed up!"

"Yes, I was getting to that. You see, CeeGee is the cure. But, with no one to cure, he's lost his purpose."

"No purpose, no life. No life, darkness takes hold. Shrouded in shadows, never to see again."

"In order for him to live, he needs two things..."

"One, two, no more, no less."

"...The others will feed him, and he will save them in return..."

"Give and take. You have to give and take. Don't be greedy, give and take."

"Life and death."

"Life in death, no waste. Use it all."

"He needs it all. The joy of the heart. The strength of his bones. The hopeful mind. The lover’s soul."

"Without them, there is no life. And with no life nothing can live. No joy, no strength, no hope, no soul."

"Do you understand dear Fluttershy? Will you help us?"

"Um... yes, I will help you. But I'm afraid I don't understand..."

"GLORY!" He yells, as he jumps back and begins to do a little dance. He mumbles to himself happily as twirls his cane happily. I'm not sure of what's going on, but I smile along with his joy. "Happiness is my friend, with no other wills to bend! She said yes, no more stress, now I move onto to death," he sings happily.

"Um... can you explain it again...?”

"May I feel it?" he asks happily, stepping towards me.

"...Feel?" I ask, blushing slightly.

"The innocence my dear! The innocence!" he says happily, as he reaches out for me. I take a few steps back as I try to understand what he's talking about.

"I don't understand. How do you feel innocence?" I ask as I press my back against the window.

"THE INNOCENCE! THE CHILD! SHOW ME THE PURITY THAT WILL CHARGE OVER THIS CITY!" He yells, as he steps forward, trying to grab me forcefully.

SHINK

A spike of crystal shoots up between us and pierces him through the stomach, holding him up as blood pours down the spike. He gurgles a bit as he begins to choke on his blood, but continues to hold his hand out.

"Please... let me die with knowledge of the innocence,” he says as he feels for me. Though my heart is racing, I step before him and place his hand on my stomach. His face drops as he feels my tummy, confused by my body. "It's... it's..."

"I'm sorry, but I'm not human. I'm a pony, here with what we thought was the last..."

"Strong," he says happily. "New, barely with soul, but strong."

"Willed. Fated to be of great power..."

"No... No, not yet..."

"There's another. An influence? No..."

"Power yet to be gained..."

"It's strong."

"Not yet."

"Soon..."

"Perhaps."

"Goodbye, Fluttershy."

"Goodbye, Innocence,” he takes a firmer hold of my stomach as he fights for his last moments of life, a smile taking place over his face.

"GOODBYE, MY FRIEND!"

The spike slowly recedes back to the ground from his gullet, leaving him to lay peacefully on the floor. My breath begins to tremble as I feel my own stomach. Am I... am I pregnant? What was all that talk about joy and love and life? How did he live in here all this time?

"What's going on?" I ask aloud, looking around the room for answers. "Please, Crystal Guardian. I don't understand. What just happened? What did Sanus... or Rabidus, just ask of me? Tell me, please."

"I WILL EXPLAIN ALL, BUT PLEASE, DO NOT STRESS YOURSELF. A GREAT CHARGE HAS BEEN PLACED OVER YOUR INNOCENCE...

CRASH

We finally break through the surface after a couple hours of work. A strong wind of snow hits us immediately and forces us to run to the city limits. Once clear, we march straight through the city for the palace. It's the middle of the night. Most of the homes have their lights off, sleeping peacefully. A few streetlights guide us to our destination, though the massive lights on the palace helped as well. When we reach the edge of the grounds, a few guards find us and guide us to Cadence on Shining’s orders.

"Wait here while I go wake her up." Shining tells us as he heads up some stairs. Twilight and I take up a bench in the waiting room and sigh in relief.

"So, how are you going to get Cadence to give you the heart?" Twilight asks, as she lays on her side.

"Well... I think I'll just let her know what’s going on and see what happens from there. I'm sure she'll understand," I say, as I lean against the wall, trying to relax a bit.

"Hmm, that sound best. I'm sure if we just approach this in a calm, collective, understanding...."

"WHAT!"We hear Cadence yell in the distance, making Twilight and I both jump a bit. We glance to one another as the sound of our impending doom marches down the hallway. Twilight ducks behind me as the doors fly open, revealing a tired looking Cadence. Her hair is a total mess and the bags beneath her eyes are a clear sign of a rough night.

"Uh.... hi Cadence..." I start as I stand.

"It's a no," she says flatly.

"Now, hold on a..."

"My people need the Crystal Heart! Not only for protection, but for hope..;."

"Cadence, I need this to continue my journey." I say as I step forward. She lets out an annoyed groan as she looks to the side, slowly shaking her head. "Not to mention that the heart belongs to a living being."

"... A living being?" she asks with mild interest.

"Yeah. He's called the Crystal Guardian. Three stories tall, made of the same substance as the heart, obviously. He wants to leave the city and retrieve his heart.” She walks over to the nearby window and looks out to her city. I walk over and my place beside her, waiting for an answer.

"I can't let my people lose the greatest sign of hope. It's an integral part of our culture..."

"There has to be some kind of compromise we can come to. I don't have the time to wait."

"Why? It’s not like that city is going anywhere,” she says, as she continues to look out to the Crystal Empire.

"Cadence, it’s started," I tell her. She looks over to me confused, so I motion towards my feet. "My death has started. I don't have time for diplomatic deal, I need this now.” She stares at my feet for a bit before walking back over to Shining, asking him something quietly. Twilight takes this chance to run over to me and pull me down to whisper.

"Are you seriously using your death to convince her to do this?"

"Well... kind of..."

"Miles! This is unethical!"

"Well, desperate times call for desperate measures." I say as everyone leaves their little meetings and faces one another.

"OK Miles, we've decided to give you the heart, but on one condition," Cadence says, as she and Shining step towards us.

"Alright, what?"

"You have to bring it back."

"... I don't follow."

"I want you to take the heart to this Crystal Guardian, and then bring him to me. That’s the only way you're going to get the heart," she says with confidence. I think about it for a second before nodding along. I don't see the harm in having them meet, so it's a win-win really. "Good, Shining, can you take them to the heart. I wish to... go back to bed."

"Why don't you take her to bed, we'll meet you at the heart." Twilight offers.

"Thanks Twiley, come on you," Shining says as he nudges Cadence along, getting a soft laugh from her.

"Good night, I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for," Cadence calls out before heading back down the hall to her room. Twilight and I share a sigh in relief.

"That," Twilight says, as she collapses to the ground, "was painful."

"Yeah, it could have gone better, but at least we get the heart..."

"Yeah, all we have to do next is convince a four story tall, lonely, demanding, crystal being to follow us to the castle without scaring the city half to death. All the while taking their most prized possession. Piece of cake."

"Come on... it… can’t be that hard... maybe... well... what's important is that we're getting into the P.C.H.," she snaps me a look to which I put my hands up to. "OK, we'll figure something out. Let’s just get to the crystal heart already," she groans in agreement and leads the way to the heart.

The palace was pretty confusing to navigate, but luckily Twilight knows it fairly well. We make it out of the castle and directly below, where the heart resides. It floats between two thin spires in the middle of an open court beneath the castle. A low hum comes from it as a light glow emanates from its center. There are a few guards are stationed here, but I guess having Twilight with me gives us access.

"How exactly do the Crystal Empire ponies view this?" I ask as I walk around it.

"Well, when their spirits are lifted during the crystal fair it emits love over the land, protecting it from the harsh badlands; as well as any other threats." Twilight says as she takes a seat before the heart, looking it over as well.

"Hmm... alright, so we can't let the Guardian leave with it... I think I have an idea..."

"That's good," Shining says as he joins us by the heart, "I was starting to think you were just winging this."

"I kind of was, but I have a plan now. Let’s take this and get going already. We're wasting moon light." Shining nods and takes a hold over the heart with his magic. I feel a shift in the air as he sets it in his bag. It's as if.... hmm... as if there's less magic in the air, if that makes sense.

"Alright, we have to move quickly before anypony notices. Think we can make it back before sunrise?" Shining asks as we make our way down Main Street.

"Probably not," I say nonchalantly.

"Great... Cadence is going to have a field day tomorrow..."

"I'm sure she'll do fine once she explains the situation." Twilight reassures him, nuzzling his side a bit.

"I hope you're right Twiley."

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW?"

"Yes, I understand. I... I..."

"I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERNS, ANY MOTHER WOULD FEEL THE SAME. BUT THIS MUST HAPPEN!"

"I know it has to happen, I just... it won't hurt... will it?"

"NO. IT WILL ONLY TAKE A BRIEF MOMENT OF PAIN, THEN!"

"OK. Let’s do this before I change my mind." I stand and close my eyes as I wait for him to begin. I instinctively try to jump away as I feel the crystal begins to grow over my hooves, but calm myself enough to stay on the ground. The crystals work their way to my stomach where I feel them begin to pulsate in power. I close my eyes... hating what has to be done.

Happy birthday After Touch!! (3/7/13) Go to his HIS PAGE to help me wish him a good one.

Brony on!