"That's it, I'm outta here," said Rainbow Dash as she turned away.

"But it'll work I know it!" protested Pinkie Pie, zipping over and stopping Rainbow in her tracks.

"Having something work means that something's wrong," said Rainbow Dash, glaring at her before moving her aside with one hoof.

"I'm inclined to agree with Dash," said Rarity, though she said it in a sour tone that made it clear she didn't like agreeing with the pegasus.

"Pinkie, my family is still in danger back home," Applejack added harshly. "But ya'll took me away so I can't protect them or anypony else!"

Applejack and Rarity both turned off, intending on returning to the train station, before Fluttershy flew and blocked their path.

"Please! They're ready to try, it won't take very long!" Fluttershy pleaded. "Please!"

Fluttershy had the second best puppy eyes of anypony any of them, wide and sparkling, and she was using them on Applejack and Rarity who were shifting uncomfortably and exchanging glances. The best puppy eyes belonged to the pink pony just ten steps away, and her big, blue eyes were boring into Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

"Fine," all four of them sighed at once. Pinkie Pie brightened once again, and ran off somewhere, while Fluttershy sighed in relief.

Twilight cursed herself for giving in to her curiosity again. She needed to be in Ponyville, helping finally end the conflict once and for all but here she was humoring her friends who were obviously desperate. Twilight tapped Rainbow Dash on the shoulder, signaling her to walk with her, and then walked up to the Crystal Heart. The giant gem spun slowly in place, seemingly the only bright thing in the city-turned-refuge.

Twilight watched as Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and their helpers gathered the fair-going ponies around the courtyard. She had seen this once before when they had used that power to banish King Sombra for good, and she did admit to herself that it was strange to think that somepony wanted to use it on her.

Fluttershy was good to her word, and it was only roughly two minutes before they were ready.

"Okay! GO!" Pinkie Pie screamed excitedly. Around them, the crystal-coated ponies bent one knee to the ground, allowing their positive emotions to power the magic of the Crystal Heart. The ancient artifact began to spin faster and faster, it's unique sound buzzing louder and louder. Twilight felt the magical power surge through the ground before going up and out in every direction from the Heart, its pleasant rush growing stronger with every passing second. The Heart glowed brighter and brighter, like a shimmering star, before it finally blasted its magic. Above the castle, the aurora blazed across the sky, visible across all of North Equestria. Twilight glanced at her body, her coat now glowing like a crystal pony, and cursory looks at the others revealed the same for them. Twilight felt lighter than she had in a long time, the harmonious magic bringing memories of better times.

The magical surge slowed as the Heart slowed its spin, returning to it's normal rotation. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, who also were now crystalline cautiously walked towards them, their faces brimming.

Twilight stepped towards them, keeping in slow stride with Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity, then stopping short in near unison a few strides from them. Twilight exchanged glances with each of the other three, and they did the same, each time sharing a short nod of agreement. Once they had, they looked back at the expectant ponies.

"Can we go now?" asked Rainbow Dash irritably.

"Sorry, Pinkie, Fluttershy, but there is no dark magic."

-----

Applejack could hardly bear to watch as she saw both mare's countenances fall like sinking stones. They had obviously worked themselves up so much holding on to this slim hope of theirs, only to have it utterly crushed in the moment of truth, and no two ponies were worse at hiding emotions than the two in front of her.

"Rarity," she whispered. "Maybe we should leave. They'll be needin's us."

"Right," Rarity replied with a nod. Rarity and Applejack turned once again to leave, the circle of crystal ponies parting to let them through.

"Hey, wait-" Rainbow Dash began, but Twilight cut her off.

"Not here, and not now," she said. Applejack knew what she meant. They may be on opposing sides, but none of them wanted to fight it out in front of the only friends that were still mutual between them. That could be saved for Ponyville, and Applejack really wanted to make sure they got there first.

They made a winding path through the fair before finally finding the spider-web streets of the city. Though with so many ponies around, Applejack was still finding it hard to gain bearings. She had always found this town confusing whenever she was not going to the castle in the center because there was no other major landmarks on the southern side of the city, and most of the buildings looked the same.

Pretty soon, they found themselves completely lost.

"Where is that gall-darn train station?" Applejack raged in frustration, looking down every street trying to find a sign of any kind about where they were.

"Just calm down, Applejack, we'll just have to ask somepony," said Rarity, looking for somepony to ask. Applejack couldn't help but feel just a bit more ticked off when she realized that everypony around them was avoiding their gaze or actively trying to ignore them. Those frustrations only built for both of them as their attempts to go up and ask were thwarted repeatedly.

"Ok, that does it. I'm gonna find a way up on a roof," Applejack said, looking for something she could jump onto.

"Now Applejack, we shouldn't be rude just because they have chosen to be, it is not lady-like," Rarity said, though she was obviously fuming just as much.

"Lady-like? C'mon Rarity, we have more important things to worry ab---"

An explosion reverberated through the air, startling everypony around and shaking windows. Applejack whirled around, preparing to meet a threat, but saw nothing in the now panicked street.

"Applejack! Look! The castle!" Rarity exclaimed, pointing upwards. High up on the castle there was smoke pouring out of the side of a gaping hole of what used to be a wall. After a few breathless seconds, the smoke was pierced and partially cleared by a blazing, purple light that was unmistakably magic.

"What should we do?" Rarity asked, not taking her eyes off the distant scene. Applejack hesitated. This was not their problem, no matter who was actually involved. But her entire life of instincts took over.

"Let's go!" and they bolted for the castle.

-----

"Not here, and not now," said Twilight, holding a hoof up in front of the advancing Rainbow Dash and motioning with her head towards Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash stole a glance at them, looked back at the retreating backs of Applejack and Rarity, then shook her head and swore under her breath. Twilight waited until they lost them in the crowd before lowering her hoof.

"Well, since we're here I can at least pay a quick visit to Cadence and my brother," Twilight sighed. "Maybe we can borrow a flight chariot from them to get there faster."

When Rainbow Dash gave her a look, Twilight defended, "I know you can fly faster but I still need the help."

"I'm sorry."

Twilight whirled around to see Fluttershy, on the verge of tears and looking in the depths of misery, huddled low in a bow-like crouch. Pinkie Pie was flat out balling a few meters away, with Blue October beside her looking thoroughly put out and Goldengrape awkwardly trying to figure out to comfort the pink mare.

"Look, Fluttershy, I know you meant well, but next time perhaps you should just explain and talk it through before making the entire trip back," replied Twilight, not really knowing what to say to the gentle pegasus.

"Why don't you come up with us to see Cadence?" offered Rainbow Dash, who was beginning to rock one hoof back and forth on the ground, signaling her impatience.

"C'mon, let's go," said Twilight, walking towards the stairway. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy followed immediately, the latter still hanging her head, and not long after Pinkie Pie trotted up too, her hair deflated and gaze downward. Their crystal coats had already faded. In contrast to outside, the hallways were mostly empty, which struck Twilight as unusual for even in the best of times a castle is always busy. Their hooves echoed on the pristine, crystal floors as they made their way past rows of closed doors and curtained windows.

"Anypony home?" Rainbow Dash called, her voice bouncing down the hall. Rainbow took off, hovering above them to burn some restlessness for a moment before landing again.

"Well, interesting to see you here Twilight, of all places."

They rounded a corner into a great hall, where Cadence stood towards the end of the room. There were over a dozen Crystal Guards flanking her at attention, an auspicious sight to say the least particularly since Shining Armor wasn't there. Twilight hesitated for a moment, but remembering who she was talking to continued forward. Rainbow Dash followed confidently beside her, though Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy stayed back, looking miserable as they mumbled something about just letting them take care of it.

"Good to see you Cadence," greeted Twilight cheerfully, giving a formal bow.

"So, what is all this about coming up here and activating the Crystal Heart?" the reply was curt.

"Oh, not much, just an experiment," explained Twilight.

"So our kingdom's assets are just there for anypony to just experiment on whenever they please?" Cadence's expression was very cold and calculating. Twilight felt her body tense.

"It was research into a possibility to quickly end the war," Twilight said with authority, keeping her voice even. Cadence hadn't broken her gaze save to blink, her eyes showing only that she was deep in thought.

"Well, that's awfully....noble, of you, Twilight. But you're presence alone in the Crystal Empire could endanger the Peace Zone we have established."

Twilight thought that through a second. Princess Cadence was right, seeing as Twilight was a high ranking participant in the conflict, it very well could be reason enough for somepony to bring their fight to the north. Twilight straightened, not wanting to appear shaken at the chastisement.

"Where's my brother?" she asked

"Off securing the border, protecting the Empire from the chaos the rest of you are causing down there." Cadence replied cuttingly. Is she trying to pick a fight? Twilight thought indignantly.

"Or just avoiding helping when you could have ended this so much sooner." she retorted, upset at the obvious snark.

"The Crystal Empire shares no obligation."

"It's part of Equestria!"

"Only Confederately, the Crystal Empire may share strong ties to Equestria and Canterlot, but there is no requirement of arms," Cadence stated. "I have to do what's best for my subjects."

Twilight felt her own anger rising, and was struggling to control it. How dare she lecture her? Cadence was supposed the be the Princess of Love and Harmony, but here she sat doing nothing while she accused Twilight and her mentor of war-mongering! Then it clicked in Twilight's mind what she cursed herself for not realizing before even coming to the Crystal Empire.

"You want to let them destroy each other, and then take the power for yourself! Don't you!" accused Twilight. Cadence narrowed her eyes farther into a glare, confirming that Twilight was spot on.

"Well, you're not making a great case for yourself!" she continued. "I have been the one by the Princess' side all this time! And if anypony fills a void it's going to be me!"

"Ha! Twilight, I've known you a long time, and one thing that will never change is how naive you are.," Cadence shot back. "Did you really think I'd be daft enough to think that Equestria would just automatically fall to me? The current ruler of the Crystal Empire? Things don't work like that, Twilight."

Then for a moment, Cadence softened, "We don't have to be enemies you know. You could team stay here with me if you like, then when it's all over we can sort it out together."

Twilight didn't move, processing this turn in the conversation. First off, the idea made sense. No matter the outcome there was going to be a serious reconstruction period that would follow, and having two current Princesses behind it would make things smoother than just one trying to patch the wounds. However, that was not all Twilight got out of Cadence's words. Twilight glanced at Rainbow Dash, who was giving the death stares of all death stares towards the pink alicorn and her guards. She had caught the same things Twilight had. Cadence had slipped up.

Cadence thought of Twilight as an enemy.

"Rainbow...."

"I know."

Cadence quickly cast a powerful spell that was a startling red, darting like lightning towards them. Twilight was ready, casting a shield spell that deflected the spell into the wall. It impacted with a ferocious explosion that blasted the crystal rock to pieces. Twilight recovered and reset, her ears ringing but staying focused on the problem.

-----

Rainbow Dash galloped forward, taking in the situation as she did. The Guardsponies were charging forward to aid their Princess' traitorous plot. 8 Earth ponies. 3 Unicorns. 2 Pegasi. A lot more than she had ever taken on alone. The room was tall but maneuvering in the air would be tight in the domed ceiling, not to mention the room was barely wider than the hallways.

Rainbow skidded to a halt a few paces from Twilight, hunching her body like a spring load. Rainbow Dash knew that she had to protect Twilight above all else, and also Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy in the room behind them.

The first guard, a speedy earth mare, leaped towards Rainbow, who sidestepped quickly while simultaneously bringing a hoof hard into the back of the mare's neck, sending her sprawling across the waxed floors. The second came barreling up, raising his glowing horn like a sword and ready to cast. Rainbow Dash ignored him, bolting towards a third guard as a spell from Twilight caught the unicorn in the flank.

She aimed a blow at the her target, but the crystalline guard blocked her punch, redirecting her momentum. Rainbow Dash grimaced but didn't stop when she felt one of his hoofs impact her flank, instead spinning and kicking another guard away. Another impact connected with her back, this one knocking her across the slippery floor. Rainbow Dash winced as the pain shot up and down her body from the sensitive spot but forced herself to focus.

She spun her hooves around to meet the wall, before using them to gain thrust. Her wings spread to lift her above a spell that scorched the wall. She stole a split-second glance at Twilight who was still towards the back of the room. She was dueling the other two unicorns, but since one was injured and they were both out of their league, Twilight seemed to be handling them easily.

Rainbow Dash pulled a stick dive, dropping her back hooves straight down onto an earth guard that collapsed under the weight. I really wish I had my pegasi blades right about now she thought as a ring of ponies converged on her. She spring boarded upwards, just avoiding their reach, thought she only barely recognized her mistake.

She raised her hooves to block a full tackle from the side, flaring her wings to avoid their injury. A black crystal pegasus pushed with his might against her, using his larger size to push her backwards. Rainbow knew the space between her and the wall was closing fast. She angled her wings, using the momentum to divert her airflow down, slipping away from the charging pegasus only to see the other pegasi streak in from the side.

Had they been outside in the open air, where speeds were greater, the hit Rainbow Dash took could have killed her or maybe she could have even avoided it. Instead she was able to curl into defense, but she was sent hurtling across the room, bouncing once off the floor before crashing into the rock wall. Rainbow Dash blacked out, the last image she processed that of Twilight standing just in front of her, and thinking how she needed to help her.

-----

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight exclaimed as the pegasus slumped forward onto the floor. She ran and skid to a stop in front of her, casting the best shield spell she knew just in time to block another spell from Cadence. While it worked, she looked over the rainbow-maned mare. She had obvious bruising but she was breathing, just knocked out. Twilight turned back to the scene at hand as the shield faded.

She had managed to disable the three unicorns in turn, and adding in the two Rainbow Dash had knocked for a loop their opponents were down to 8 guards, not to mention one or two more that were hobbling. But there was still the Princess, and the rest of the Guards were basically untouched.

"Twilight, just give up!" Cadence hollered. "You can't win this!"

"Never!" Twilight roared, firing a spell. Cadence managed to deflect it, sending the beam of light crashing down the hallway on the other end of the room. Twilight didn't wait a second before casting another spell, this time at the pegasi above. One of them dodged sideways but the other was caught by surprise, the spell catching him full in the face and blasting him into the ceiling. He stuck comically into the new indent in the stone for a moment before he peeled off and fell to the floor in a heap.

Three earth ponies converged on her at once. Twilight's instincts took over. She quickly cast a teleport spell on the guards, who found themselves jumping into a stone wall in another part of the room. Two shook it off but one was knocked out cold. Only 6 more guards.

"Twilight, look out...," groaned Rainbow behind her. Twilight was so surprised she forgot to look for the danger, instead looking at the pegasus struggling to her feet on shaky legs. A fourth earth pony guard and run close to the wall, and managed to land a hard punch right above Twilight's left eye. The stiff right hook staggered her backwards next to Rainbow Dash, stars dancing in her vision. She cast a spell blindly, an electric spell that caused all the guards closing in to leap back at the sharp shock.

Twilight held one hoof to her eye, trying to decide what to do. Rainbow Dash finally was on her feet and stepped forward weakly with clenched teeth to stand beside her, wings wide and ready to fly. Twilight could see a trickle of blood running out of Rainbow's hair and down her neck, and could also tell that Rainbow Dash was still dizzy. She may be determined, but she wasn't going to be able to fight to her full strength.

"Ready now?" Cadence said. "Come on Twilight. You have seen what Celestia and Luna have done with their power! They've torn Equestria apart in the space of a moon! Could I really do worse than that? Heck, even you could have probably done better in their horseshoes. And you Rainbow Dash! Are you really just going to blindly follow Celestia as she leads everypony into oblivion?"

Twilight shook her head and cleared her vision of stars. Some of the Crystal Guards who had been knocked out were waking and retaking positions with their fellows as they advanced in a semi-circle. Twilight's mind raced as she tried to think of a spell to get them out of this. She wouldn't be able to teleport far enough away, not with Rainbow Dash in tow at least, to be out of the castle. But she just couldn't accept defeat. She charged up a battle spell, and scanned the room for the best target.

"If that's your choice," said Cadence. "Take them!"

The Guards advanced en mass at a trotting speed, some of the earth ponies now wielding weapons to aid in the capture. Then out of nowhere a fast moving object shot into view, plowing into the side of the advancing line and knocking three or four of them off their feet. Before the remaining part of the line could react, a magical aura surrounded them and tossed them unceremoniously onto their backs.

"Now is this what ya'll call a fair fight?"

"Seems to me like somepony could be taught a lesson in manners."

Twilight couldn't believe her eyes. Applejack and Rarity were standing right in front of her, still dressed in NLR black, baring their teeth like timberwolves at Cadence and her Guards.

-----

It's official: we've lost our minds thought Rarity, staring down the Guards in front of her. They had just leaped in without even thinking about it, and now they were in a predicament of their own. A cursory glance was all Rarity needed to know Rainbow Dash was probably too injured, and Twilight was obviously tired. No surprise there, considering the top of the castle had been practically exploding non-stop the entire way. The malignant magic had even disrupted the aurora above.

"Well, Twilight, you've certainly got yourself in a pickle, haven'tcha?" Applejack said, not looking back. "And you attacking yer own kin, Princess Cadence, that doesn't seem even a little wrong to ya'll?"

Rarity tried to think of a plan of action while Applejack stalled for time, but was struggling to do so. The Guards had already recovered, and several had moved to block their exit, trapping them into the corner. Rarity angled herself to cover the left side, storing magic in her horn to be ready at any moment.

"Well, I didn't expect this," said Cadence loftily. "I thought you four were somewhat at odds with each other."

Neither Applejack nor Rarity answered. It was something Rarity wanted to know too.

"So, what next, Applejack, Rarity? You have the protege of your enemy right behind you, tired and her guard helpless. ("Hey!" Rainbow Dash protested, wincing when she did) So you're telling me that you think you can help Luna win by saving her from being captured and taken out of the picture? Not exactly strategically sound."

Is she trying to get us on her side? Rarity wondered, confused why Cadence was just talking instead of just ordering her Guards on them. Whatever the reason, it was Rarity who acted first.

"Applejack!" she called as she cast a spell straight into the floor. The magic rushed through the floor like a shockwave, causing the Guards and Cadence to jump when it reached their hooves. Simultaneously Applejack leaped powerfully to the right, smashing the guard into the wall with her body before kicking off the wall to tackle another as they finally came down. Rarity charged another spell, directing it at Cadence. The alicorn easily blocked Rarity's spell, but it did allow Applejack to flip back in front of the remaining Guards, keeping them between Cadence and herself.

"Twilight, if you would please keep her away from us, that would be appreciated," said Rarity, firing another spell that knocked one of the pegasi out of the air. Twilight leaped forward, immediately complying with a bright, purple spell in the Princess' direction. Rarity didn't stop to watch, but started casting a plethora of spells. They were fortunate that there were no unicorns left to fire spells to counter, and now with Twilight keeping Cadence occupied Rarity's magic and Applejack's strength that advantage in the close quarters.

Applejack bucked and kicked in every direction, and even those that didn't connect kept the Crystal Guards off balance, allowing Rarity to trip them up with her magic. From the point of the first spell that Rarity cast into the ground until all the Guards were either knocked out or staggered. The remaining 4 or so were now next to Cadence, trying to find an opening against the four of them.

"ENOUGH!" Cadence roared, before copying what Rarity did by sending a more powerful spell into the floor, throwing energy that struck like an ocean wave. Rarity was knocked on her backside as she slid backwards. She scrambled to right herself as soon as she stopped, only to be thrown down again, this time on her belly.

"I will not be overtaken by a rookie princess, a dressmaker, and a farmer!" Cadence snarled. "All of you are now prisoners of-"

A metallic ring sounded briefly in the air, stopping Cadence short. Everything was frozen for a second, then Cadence collapsed to the ground ungracefully. There, hovering just above her, was Fluttershy holding a frying pan and looking even more shocked than Rarity felt.

----

"I am so sorry!" Fluttershy exclaimed, tossing the frying pan. The pan soared and accidentally landed on one of the guard's head, making him weak-kneed and lollygag like Derpy normally does.

"Oops! Sorry again!" Fluttershy could hardly believe what she had just done, and could only stare between the unconscious Princess, the surprised Guards, and her stunned friends staring slack-jawed across the hall. Finally, the guards reacted, turning and ready to pounce. Fluttershy wanted to react, but was so scared her wings locked up on her again and dropped her to the floor.

They were about to reach her when suddenly all three of them were knocked over one by one in two blinks, though Fluttershy didn't see it because her eyes were closed. Fluttershy opened her eyes, where she saw Rainbow Dash breathing heavily, her front hooves on one of them, and Pinkie Pie bouncing up and down on another one's chest saying, "Nopony! Hurts! Fluttershy!" The other was laying un-moving from what could only be assumed was a spell.

"Pinkie! Leave him be, he's done!" that was Twilight, walking up with Rarity beside her. Pinkie Pie jumped off the guard and stuck her tongue out at him, while Fluttershy let out a big sigh and sank to the ground like a puddle.

"We prob'ly should tie 'em up," said Applejack as she sauntered up, grabbing a rope one of the unconscious guards. "How're ya gonna explain this to yer brother?"

"I'll get back to you on that when I think of it," responded Twilight, using her magic to form a rope out of part of the tapestries before tossing it to Pinkie Pie, who was happily jumping around and binding the guards with Applejack. Fluttershy stood up wobbily, her nerves not yet settled, but found herself immediately supporting Rainbow Dash who had stumbled.

"Oh no, Rainbow, are you ok?" she asked, steadying the pegasus.

"I'm fine," Dash replied a little haughtily. "I just need a second. I've taken way harder - ow- hits than that."

"Here, let's at least get a bandage on you," said Fluttershy, pushing her friend along. They made their way down a hall and stopped in what turned out to be the kitchen. Fluttershy fashioned a bandage out of a rag and wrapped it around Rainbow's head, the back immediately beginning to turn red.

"Where'd you learn to do bandages anyway?"

"Sometimes I have to take care of hurt animals that need attention. I actually took a veterinarian class remember?" Fluttershy explained as she tied the knot.

"Vet, huh? Comforting," said Rainbow, wincing again at what was probably a major headache.

"How is she, Fluttershy?" Twilight walked into the room, cautiously followed by Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie.

"She should be fine, but she might have a concussion," Fluttershy answered. At least Rainbow's eyes weren't dilated too badly, and Rainbow was right she had probably suffered worse, and it looked like the bleeding had already stopped. But she also probably had at least one broken rib and Fluttershy guessed she had also wrenched her front, right shoulder.

"So what happens now?" Rainbow Dash asked. Fluttershy looked up to see that she was looking directly at Applejack and Rarity, and for the first time all day it wasn't with a glare. Nopony answered. It was quiet for what felt like several minutes, the six of them standing in an otherwise empty kitchen; Together in the same room for the first time in a little over a month, the difference now a lifetime's worth of regrettable experiences, divided ties, and bloody bandages.

Fluttershy let her eyes wander to her hooves, which to her surprise were still quivering slightly. She wondered what Cadence would think when she awoke, especially to have been beaten so easily, and by ponies that had been relatively close to her.

"I GOT IT!" Fluttershy suddenly blurted, much louder than her usual quiet tone, scaring the other five and immediately drawing wide-eyed stares.

"Oh, sorry," Fluttershy apologized, shrinking back in embarassment. "I mean, I have an idea."

An idea that was even more insane than the last one.

Next Chapter: Desperate Measures Estimated time remaining: 28 Minutes