Chapter 24: Warm Welcome and Cold Reception

Canterlot Castle…

Princess Celestia had just received and interesting letter from Rainbow Dash and Spike about the Badlands.

Dear Princess Celestia

While looking for the keys Spike and I found that the Badlands have been plagued by a Shadow Dragon that the Entity made and it’s draining all the Dragon’s power as well as ours in the area according to a dragon named Balok.

We would help but as soon as we go near we are drained of energy and the problem is that the Dragon has the key and if we tried to steal it or battle it we will be tired

Is there anyway to combat this?

Your subjects,

Spike and Rainbow Dash

A Dragon made out shadows? Such a thing has not happened in 1500 years, the only way anypony could survive that without being drained was the use of some unique gems but they can only be found in the mines with Diamond Dogs so it looks like Princess Celestia will have to get them herself…

Crystal Empire…

Twilight and Applejack were both shivering despite being in the magically warm Crystal Empire, they were forced to go to Shining Armor and Princess Cadence for help after a fruitless attempt to get to the Crystal mountains straightaway. As Twilight and Cadence greeted each other in their “Secret handshake” and Shining Armor greeted Twilight they sat down

“So how’s it been going Twily? We haven’t seen you since that whole Mirror thing?” asked Shining

“Well things could be better, actually it hasn’t been good” admitted Twilight

“The Entity right?” asked Cadence

“Unfortunately yes, we need to find a key in the Crystal mountains which is needed to help stop him but we can’t progress so much as a hoofstep” said Twilight

“Hmmm…Shining and I have never been to those mountains but word from the Crystal Ponies says something Dark is over there and it’s not King Sombra” said Cadence looking in that direction

“But how can we get to those mountains, it’s clear nature does not want us there unless we do something” asked Twilight

“I do not know Twily, surely the Crystal Ponies have something in their library” suggested Shining

“Of course! Library! Well it’s research time!” said Twilight Speeding off

…

“She’s never going to get of those books I fear” said Cadence

“Twily’s always been like that” said Shining laughing

“Oh and Applejack, when the world is not at stake you should send some apples over, those ones at the wedding were spectacular” said Cadence

“Ah Will” replied Applejack as she too left for the Library

“Ah think this is gunna be a long day”

A Pony Village next to the Badlands…

Rainbow Dash and Spike were bored out of their minds waiting for a reply from Princess Celestia as they lay near a tree just waiting for an answer and finally after 29 minutes Spike hurled a scroll out of his mouth from Princess Celestia.

Dear Spike and Rainbow Dash

Enclosed are important Gems that are protective against draining forces, it acts as a shield in other words so you should be safe while looking for the key.

However, The Shadow Dragon must not see you! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Shadow Dragons have not been sighted in 1500 years and for good reason as they almost destroyed all of Equus back then.

I repeat, DO. NOT. ENGAGE. If you are stealing the key then it’s important it does not catch you doing so! Shadow Dragons are heavily armored so any attack even if you had Twilight, Logan, Luna or Myself here would do nothing in fact the only way they were beaten was multiple number of Dragons.

Like any Dragon, their weak spot is their eye but that will be very hard to hit so I recommend staying away all together

Remember what I say and AVOID BATTLE AT ALL COSTS!

Best of Luck,

Princess Celestia

“Ponyfeathers, looks like we gotta be extra quiet” said Dash

“At least we have these gems to keep us safe from draining” said Spike

“But what about the Dragons?” asked Dash

“I dunno” said Spike

“Well…?” asked Dash

“We need the key so we can just get that then evacuate the dragons with the gems afterwards” said Spike

“I guess, but what if the Dragon sees us, Princess Celestia says we’ll be friend Pony and Dragon for dinner if it catches us” said Dash

“Well let’s not get caught” said Spike

“Well are you with me?” asked Dash reaching a hoof out

“Yeah!” said Spike grabbing the hoof with a claw

Spike and Rainbow Dash started their climb to the top of the mountain where the Shadow Dragon should be…

Crystal Empire Library…

“AHA! FOUND SOMETHING!” yelled Twilight in triumph

“Huh? What in Tarnation?” said Applejack who fell asleep on some books

“I found something to accessing the Crystal mountains” said Twilight putting a book in front of Applejack

The Crystal Plains serve as a last line of defence between the Crystal Empire and the Crystal Mountains where enemies of the north hope to gain access. Only a pony who knows the right way to go can travel through or else a blizzard takes them back to the start.

“Of course! That’s why we haven’t moved a single bit, we keep going off the right path and those flashes with the Blizzards send us back to the start” exclaimed Twilight

“Y’all mean to tell me that whole journey we did was pointless?” asked Applejack

“I’m afraid so but it says here you can get a map from the Crystal Heart if you have a good purpose to get to the mountains” said Twilight eyeing the book

As the Pair of them went up to the Crystal heart they wondered how the others were faring for their keys and they prayed none of them got into serious trouble…