(Five and a half days later...)

Nearly about a week later found Skyward in a lavish looking chamber--with velvety purple drapes framing the large arched windows, the walls made of (what else, glittering crystal) antique looking lamps, banners of the Crystal Empire and Equestria hanging from the high vaulted ceiling. The group of ponies were all sitting at a round table forged of multicolored crystals, trays of fruit, cheese and pastries close by, pitchers of crystal berry juice and coffee close at hoof. Twilight and her friends were on one side, Shining Armor and Princess Cadence on the other. The others had, over the last couple of days, had explored the Crystal City proper…

But Skyward hadn’t wanted to go, much to their surprise, and when prodded, the bluesteel unicorn mare had adamantly refused, going to the practice yards instead to hone her blade and magic skills.

Skyward’s ears turned back a little, thinking about the upset reactions she had gotten from her friends—she really wanted to see more of the place, but…

She scowled, pushing a strand of royal blue mane out of her line of sight. That creamsicle colored stallion--the one called Geek Out--that she had run into at the flute-seller’s stall had been her own personal nightmare for the past three days. He’d pop up out of nowhere, startling her into almost shield-bashing him. Or, she’d be trying to just take a walk, and he’d sidle up to her and start a conversation. However, inevitably, he’d start asking her questions.

Questions she knew she couldn’t answer. And he being an avid…what was the word for a pony like him in this day and age? Ah, yes, a gamer. Harmless, or so most ponies said. Unfortunately for her, because of his ‘gamer’ knowledge, she knew he was spot on with his observations. Especially since he was so well versed in the lore of her home plane…

“…Diamond Dogs have been sighted in closer to the mountains near Yakyakistan, but the yaks have been adamant in driving them out of their territories. As a result, they have been appearing more and more frequently near Glittering Ridge…”

The Haylian mare mentally kicked herself for drifting off, leaning closer to listen to Shining Armor. Diamond Dogs had been sighted close to the capital city and some of the surrounding villages and towns near the Crystal Empire, and as a result, security had been vastly increased. However, they were also being forced away from Yakyakistan, given that the stubborn as stone yaks were extremely territorial, and that meant them moving elsewhere. But this also posed a serious threat to the Crystal Empire…

Which was why, despite the joyous holiday soon about to begin—a pall hung over the group of ponies in the council hall. Twilight spoke up from where she was seated to Cadence’s right—she being Cadence’s relative by marriage, the left would be where Shining Armor would normally be seated.

“Don’t the yaks know that forcing them away from their city is going to cause problems for the Empire, and Equestria in general?”

Shining Armor shook his head at his sister. “They know this, Twily, but that’s not the main problem. The problem is that their numbers are far more than they should be, and that makes us wonder if something bigger isn’t going on. Diamond Dogs usually don’t amass in such numbers like this, unless…”

“Unless they want something, and until we find out what it is, I’ve suspended any travel on the roads so nopony becomes a prime target, and Shining has sent out groups of guards to patrol the roads and guard towns and villages until we do.”

Applejack was next to speak. “D’ya have any idear ‘bout whut th’ mutts are lookin’ fer? Cain’t be th’ crystals…they like gems…”

Shining Armor looked frustrated. “Our scouts haven’t been able to figure out anything just yet. We do know one thing, however—the dogs are amassing large quantities of diamond quartz.”

Rarity’s ears pricked at this. “Diamond quartz? What on earth could those vile beasts want with something that is all but worthless?”

Cadence shook her head at the ivory unicorn. “Diamond quartz is pretty much useless, Rarity, but with one sole exception. Because of its exceptional hardness, if not valued as a proper 'gem', it can be used to forge weaponry—namely, spear points, or arrowheads, the same ones we use here in the Empire, but we reinforce them with steel.”

Skyward’s eyes narrowed at this. If the Diamond Dogs were gathering materials for weapons—were they preparing for war? That being said, her mind drifted back to Haylian weaponry. Swords, shield, spears, arrows—all forged of good, strong steel, enchanted as well for maximum effectiveness, most times.

However…

She did know that the Gerudo at one point used certain crystals as spear/arrowheads, if they couldn’t steal any steel ones from Haylian armory caches. And, even if the quartz was naught good for anything but weapons, it might be made for powerful focuses in magic…

Ears pricked as sonorous bells began to ring outside. The knell from the ringing instruments sounded—well, urgent, rapid, as if something was horribly wrong.

“No…no, it can’t be!”

It was Cadence who had spoken. The Alicorn of Love was drawn back in her throne, wings partially spread out, the horror on her face all too real.

“Are those bells ringing?” Fluttershy asked. Shining Armor looked grim as he stood up from his own seat.

“Yeah, that’s the alarm bells."

"Wha--what does it mean?" Spike asked, looking concerned as he came up to his 'big brother' figure. But Shining Armor's next words caused the blood of everypony to freeze in their veins.

"It means the Crystal Empire is under attack.”

Skyward’s eyes shrunk to pinpricks upon hearing the bells and the words of the Prince of the Crystal Empire; the echoing tones bringing back dark memories of when a different bell had been rung…

When Hayrule Castle Town had been invaded.

The blood of innocents staining the white cobblestones red…

The screams of the dying…

The crying of terrified foals, the roars of her comrades…

Metal on metal on bone on flesh, blood flying in a crimson shower…

Dismembered limbs and broken bodies strewn across the roads and paths…

The shrieks of the demonic foes they faced, the shrill war cries of the Gerudo ponies…

The vile cackling of the twin unicorn nags…

The same could not be happening now, could it?

But her worst fears were confirmed when they all heard rapid hoofbeats began increasing in volume—seconds later, the door flew open, revealing a Crystal Empire unicorn guardpony. His silvery armor was askew, his helm was broken, and he was bleeding from a gash on his right ear.

“Cap—captain... *cough*…”

In a flare of magenta light just like his sister’s, Shining Armor was out of his chair and next to the wounded soldier, his blue eyes fierce. “Take it easy. You two… (he gestured to the two guards at the door) “Get him to the palace infirmary, now! Skyward, I need you to…”

His words were wasted, however...in a flare of silver light, Skyward was the first one out of the door, running hay for leather down the hall, away from the Council Hall. Her helm floated onto her head as she rushed down the halls and stairs like an avenging fury, guards diving out of her way as she shot past them. The bluesteel unicorn mare kept going, charging straight on out of the gates and into the battle zone without a second thought.

Shining Armor shook his head before turning to his sister, who only looked at him. He knew right off that she as well as her friends—well, most of them, were also ready to fight. “Twily…”

Twilight shot him a ‘shut the buck up’ look. “Not going to happen, BBBFF. We stand with you.”

Shining Armor nodded, but gestured towards his wife. “Stay with Cadence—if anything comes through those doors I’m counting on all of you to get her to Canterlot. Understood?”

Affirmatives/scattered salutes were given—Cadence crossed to her husband. Tears pricked her violet eyes, but she held fast. For him, she could not show her fear, the fear that he might not return from the battlefield alive. Wordlessly, Shining Armor gathered his wife close, giving her a soft kiss and a tender look, before he turned and strode out of the door, three other guards awaiting him with his own armor—the armor of the Captain of the Royal Guard.

*********************

When Skyward charged out of the Spire’s gates, the first thing that met her eyes was something all too familiar. Smoke rose from several crystal dwellings, rubble and broken pieces of vendor carts, stalls, wasted food…

A war zone never really changed, no matter where it was.

Barking, snarls and raspy voices caught her attention and her eyes went to slits—she spotted the reason the Crystal Empire Guard were up in arms, the alarm bells ringing out their call to arms into the air. These beasts in question looked like extremely scruffy, ill-fed and mangy Wolfos, ones that could stand on their hind legs, wearing diamond studded collars, faded cloth vests…

But she knew these were not the slavering hell hounds of Hayrule at Ganondorf’s command, or the ones who roamed the land. No, these were Diamond Dogs—a veritable army of the damn things…

And they had proved Cadence’s worst fears true.

With a snarl, Skyward drew her sword and charged, going right for the first group of Diamond Dogs she could see. Her horn blazed silver as she summoned a spell---her form blurred as she increased her speed magically…

With a sickening crunch, she rammed right into one of them, sending him sprawling—and likely with crushed ribs considering how hard she had slammed into him. The rest of the dogs had been knocked over from the force of her magically enhanced impact—the dog she had hit had been thrown backwards into the rest of them like a bowling ball impacting pins.

A growl sounded from behind her—her sword whistled through the air, a piercing howl of agony following soon after. A sharp ‘click’ against her armor's right side told her some idiot had tried to strike at her, but her enchanted armor had taken the blow. Growling, the furious bluesteel unicorn whirled on her target—the Diamond Dog was stupidly staring at the broken spear it was holding…

For all of five seconds until a lance of ice magic turned him into a glittering statue. A sharp jab from one armored hoof, and he shattered into a thousand pieces.

Battle raged through the Lapis Lazuli sector of the city---armor glinted, the sounds of it singing and clicking as ponies moved to combat the aggressors. Blood stained the soft grass—pony and Diamond Dog alike, armored hooves flailing, pegasi streaking from the skies to hurl thunderbolts, violent winds and bitter snow…

The unicorns were blasting spells at any stray dog they could catch unawares—they had to be careful not to hit their fellow ponies, however.

Skyward wasn’t in any particular group; but her blood was up; Goddesses forgive her, but she felt so alive when she was fighting! She screamed a war cry in her native tongue—her sword cleaving through a mutt’s leg, leaving nothing but a bloody stump behind. Dark crimson fluid shot rhythmically from the wound, the dog being too stupid to calm down…Skyward ended his screaming with a Crescent Scythe spell, dividing his body in two neat pieces.

A foal’s scream made the bluesteel unicorn mare’s left ear twitch backwards, and she turned her head—her royal blue eyes narrowed into slits of rage when she saw what was going on.

While most of the Diamond Dogs were attacking the Crystal Imperial Guard, a few select groups were casting nets over the civilian Crystal Ponies and attempting to haul them off!

Enraged, Skyward wheeled round, taking off hay for leather after the nearest group—it was two large Diamond Dogs that had cornered an ocher colored mare and a little pale blue foal—

Oh this was hitting a little too close to home what with bandit or Moblin raids and she knew it. Snaring one of the dogs in her magic, she flung him so hard behind her, he flew into an alleyway and hit an adjoining building with a KER-SPLAT—literally—he’d hit it so hard that his skull had cracked open like an overripe melon. The second dog spun around, bringing the net to bear he held on her…

Skyward teleported just as the net was tossed onto her—the dog blinked in confusion before something sharp, rigid and unforgiving painfully pierced his lower back. He howled in agony…or would have if his mouth hadn’t been magically sealed shut—Skyward removed her sword, twisted around and bucked the dying Diamond Dog away from the terrified pair. She turned to the mare and foal, gesturing to them with one armored hoof.

“With me now, hasten to the Crystal Palace! There thou wilt find sanctuary!” she shouted to them—the mare quickly scooped up her foal onto her back---Skyward ran alongside them to guard them, knowing the mare was burdened with her child, and couldn’t react as fast if another ambush presented itself.

A couple of guards spotted them—once she saw the mare and foal were in safe hooves, off she went in a flash before one of the guards could question her.

The Haylian mare didn’t have to go too far to find her next mark…a sapphire coated pony with a sea mist blue and black streaked mane and tail was being pursued by a single Diamond Dog with a net. The stallion was a fast runner, but the dog was keeping up admirably…and if this kept up she knew he’d catch him.

The Diamond Dog lunged at the blue crystalline pony...

A blur of royal blue and indigo suddenly rammed into him, throwing him away from the frightened stallion. A slash of a glittering blade, and the net was gone to shreds. Skyward looked over at the terrified stallion—inwardly she swore; the foal was too scared to bolt! "Run! To the palace gates with thee, now!"

The pony in question didn't argue--he ran as if Tirek himself was at his heels. Another Diamond Dog lunged from a crystal berry bush, intent on grabbing him--

But the explosion of fiery agony in his head was what greeted him first--Skyward had thrown her shield at the mutt, and as a result the Diamond Dog was severely concussed, blood matting his fur where the object had struck him. He staggered around--but she didn't give him time to recover. Her blade swung around in a glittering arc and bit deeply into the Diamond Dog's fur, cleaving through to expose raw, quivering muscle, ivory jag of bone and pinkish sinew underneath, a crimson shower of ichor bursting free from the newly carved cavity. He howled in agony--

Only to know a flare of renewed pain before darkness claimed his sight completely.

Kicking away the severed head (which rolled near another Diamond Dog and he just about crapped himself; deciding that running was the best option) and sword coated with dark blood, Skyward located yet another Diamond Dog--this one was bigger and he seemed to have a more elaborate collar than the others did. Scowling, she charged at him--he saw her coming and grinned as he picked up a large net...

Skyward focused on the net--her horn glowed silver and the net burst into flames, causing the dog to drop the net and howl in pain at his singed hands. This gave her enough time to close the distance and she crashed into him, rearing and kicking him to the ground, her armored hooves beating him mercilessly as he howled and screamed in pain. Once he was subdued, Skyward pinned the terrified dog under her hooves, her teeth bared in a vicious snarl as she raised her blade high to deliver a beheading strike--

"Skyward! Stand down, soldier! Bring him here!"

Upon hearing the barked order, Skyward stopped her deadly descent of her sword, one ear twitching back towards the commanding shout. She knew only one sole pony had the authority to give such a command. She didn't sheathe her sword, but she didn’t kill the cringing canine either. Instead, she ruthlessly ‘hauled’ the Diamond Dog to his feet and shoved him none too gently towards a waiting Prince Shining Armor, who was flanked between two royal pegasi guards.

"If thou try to run, thou wilt be seeing my sword from the other side of thine belly," Skyward hissed in his ear, and the Diamond Dog whimpered an affirmation.

The Haylian unicorn unceremoniously shoved the canine in front of Shining Armor, pointing her sword at the base of his spine--if the dog tried anything stupid, it would spell his bloody end. Shining Armor leaned down, his glare boring into the yellow gaze of the Diamond Dog, and while his eyes burned hot with anger his voice was as cold as the peaks of Yakyakistan.

"This is your final warning, mutt. Go back to your leaders and tell them if they attempt anything--foalnapping, threats or what have you, we will invade your caverns and we will force you out permanently..."

Shining Armor leaned down with a deadly scowl on his face. "Do I make myself crystal clear?"

The Diamond Dog nodded frantically.

The prince of the Crystal Empire stomped one armored hoof, the sound echoing like a cannon blast in the silence. "Now get out of here!"

Skyward cleaned her blade free of Diamond Dog blood--then sheathed it with a 'click' as she glowered after the fleeing Diamond Dog. "Somehow, I fear that shalt not be the last we see of them, Captain."

Shining Armor nodded grimly as he turned to walk back to the palace proper. "Hate to agree with you on that, but...yeah."

Skyward looked thoughtful before she turned to Shining Armor. "Is thine lady wife available to speak with me? I... may hath something that might help--mind, 'tis not perfected, but..."

"Skyward, anything that can help safeguard the Empire would be more than welcome at this point. My protection spell would work, but it's only to be used as a last resort."

"Not to mention it drains poor Shiny a lot," Twilight Sparkle chimed in as she came up with Pinkie Pie, who was covered in confetti and glitter.

Skyward grinned at the party pony, noticing her appearance. "Allow one to guess. Thou used thine party cannon to force them away?"

"You got it!"

Skyward chuckled, before she turned to look out at the horizon, her smile fading to a frown. The raid may have ended in their favor--no casualties, only major property damage, it seemed. But this was a coordinated attack and she knew it--she was certain Shining Armor and his royal wife knew this as well. Feeling an armored hoof tap her shoulder, she turned to see Shining Armor himself behind her.

"Cadence and I want to talk to you."

Skyward resisted the urge to back her ears--if she was in for a reprimand, then so be it. She nodded, saluting him before sheathing her sword. "As you command, Captain Shining Armor. Lead the way, sir."

Shining Armor shook his head at her in amusement. "You're not in trouble, Skyward. No, this is about something else entirely...eh?"

Skyward had turned around, sword out and eyeing the broken ruins of a few buildings behind them. The white and blue unicorn stallion tensed, watching the bluesteel unicorn mare before she sheathed her sword and turned to follow him. "Something wrong?"

"One thought one saw something. Mayhap merely the light off of one of the buildings."

Twilight and the others joined up with them at this point, and Shining Armor led them all back to the Crystal Spire Palace. But if anypony had happened to look a little closer in the shadows of the leftmost building--they would've seen the outline of a pony holding what looked to be a camcorder--the lens glinting in the hazy light from Celestia's sun setting overhead...