Author's Notes:

In case some of you might wonder, YES I do have a proofreader for this fic as well, the only problem is that he desires for his name to be not show. He prefers to stay anonymous.

But still, credit also goes to my proofreader, even though none of you will know who he actually is.

The only hint I can give is that he is here on Fimfiction as well.

Chapter 9: Unwelcome Outsiders

Edited by: Cosmic Flash

“Cadence please wait up, you need to remember that unlike you, all three of us are carrying armor, weapons and supplies.” Shining called out as he and his two fellow guards were cresting upon a snowy hill.

After yet another day and night of constant travelling through the hostile and harsh landscape that surrounds the crystal empire Cadence has been rather anxious to reach the Crystal Empire as soon as possible, sometimes even leading the way herself as the 3 stallions behind her where slowly struggling to keep up.

“I can’t Shining, we are so close to finally reaching the empire after days of nonstop travelling. So what is the point of wasting more time when we are this close to our goal?” Cadence shouted back as her eager hooves carried her up the very last hill that would separate them from finally having a first ever glimpse of the empire.

Shining simply groaned as he gave his guards a quick look over his shoulders before forcing his tired hooves to keep up with Cadence.

Cadence on the other hoof was to distracted to even notice the ever growing distance she had created between herself and her 3 guardians as she was far too focused on her task to finally get a first good look at a civilization that has been lost for almost over a 1000 years.

With one final push she eventually made it on top of the hill and immediately gasped out loud at the scene presented before her.

Cadence was expecting a lot of things, and she meant a lot when she finally made it to the top of the hill, ranging from a dark depressing looking empire all the way to the broken and desolated wasteland of ruins and dark shadows, especially considering that their final decision and preparation for this trip was somewhat late in comparison to the empire’s reappearance and the continuous delays of taking the long way around instead of the more straight path through the wastes.

What she didn’t expect though was seeing a crystal city shining and shimmering in all its glory, with a very distinct magical dome encasing it and its surrounding lands. A sight that could only be caused by the re-activation of the legendary crystal heart according to her aunties recollections, which in turn should be impossible while Sombra is still sitting on the throne.

Something was majorly wrong here and she knew it, this is NOT the sight that was supposed to greet her when Celestia told her all about the legends.

“Ugh…finally, we made it to the top of the hill…I swear the last couple of steps are always the ha…” Shining armor tried to say in between huffs until he noticed that his wife was standing on top of the hill, frozen in place.

He was about to ask her what was wrong when his eyes eventually crested over the hill, seeing what she was seeing and being just as surprised as her. It was the same with the two guard ponies behind him, though they were more looking at this scene in awe and amazement rather than straight out shock.

“…This…this is not right…something…something is very wrong here and I just know it.” Cadence muttered to herself as she continued to watch the relative peaceful looking city in the distance.

Shining could only nod as his gaze slowly started to harden a bit. “Your right, this is far from what we have been told. Something must have happened while we were still on our way.” Shining commented as he freed himself from the hood covering his head to get a much clearer view of the lands in front of him. The famed and also feared crystal mountains dominating the horizon right past the crystalline city.

“We are too late, I knew that we were too late.” Cadence said out loud in a bit of a panic as she suddenly began to gallop off down the hill and towards the crystal city in front of her.

“No Cadence, WAIT!!!” Shining tried to call out but sighed as he realized that his calls were received by deaf ears.

“Come one you two, let’s quickly follow her before she gets too much of a head start. I have a really bad feeling about this.” Shining announced to the other two guards before galloping after his wife as fast as his already tired hooves could carry him. The two guards were not too far behind as they all raced across the open snowy plains that separated them and their destination in front of them.

“…a really bad feeling about this.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

“…and this is why we are tasked with patrolling the inside borders of the crystal shield private, we don’t want to have another pony or whatever outsider trotting into the empire while we are still weak and broken. Which is why our borders are closed now. The last thing we need is another outsider like Sombra appearing and crossing the border into the empire to cause more havoc again?” Sergeant Hard Kick explained to the private next to him as the two continued their patrol along the border of the crystal shield surrounding the city.

The private next to him murmured at her superior’s long explanation. Truth be told she would rather be back in the city and take part in the festivities of crystal fair, but duties were duties, and as a young member of the crystal guard it was her duty to protect her nation in such a vulnerable time and to be trained and tutored by older veterans such as Hard Kick over here in case of more...serious times.

But all of this didn’t really make this day of serving any more daunting than it already was. She could even hear the happy party going from all the way out here which just filled her with even more envy towards it.

The private sighed which Sergeant Hard Kick noticed as he placed a hoof on the Guard mare’s shoulder.

“I know what you are thinking Glimmer, it really has been years since the last time the crystal empire had the free chance of following its traditions. Don’t worry, our replacements will come soon in about half an hour then you can have your turn at the crystal fair yourself.” Hard Kick assured her.

Glimmer in return gave her superior a small smile as she repositioned the spear on her hoof. Their armored hooves clacking onto the cobblestone road they were patrolling on.

“Well what about the Emperor?” Glimmer finally asked, mostly to get her mind off of the crystal fair.

“What about him?” The sergeant asked back.

“Well…” She began while collecting her words. “Isn’t he an outsider as well? I mean some ponies say he just came straight out from the frozen wastes surrounding the city.” She asked back.

Sergeant Hard Kick rubbed his chin in thought for a moment before looking back at the private next to him. “Well true, but at the same time he is one of us, a crystal unicorn no less. A race of crystal ponies we previously thought had all been eradicated during Sombra’s great purge of them during his reign.” Hard Kick explained which immediately made him shiver at the end, remembering those days quite well.

Same for Private Glimmer as she sported a somewhat haunted look as these memories played back in her mind. All those screams and fires, she can never forget those, nor the close friends she lost at that day. She never even had the chance to shed a tear for them, in fear of getting punished by just doing so.

She shook her head, hardening the grip on her spear as a look of both anger and determination quickly got summoned onto her features as she looked ahead. Outsiders cannot be trusted, especially outsiders hailing from the south where both Sombra and his followers originated from.

“What about this weird bat-winged mare who accompanied the emperor?” She asked once more, this time with a more hard tone behind her voice.

Sergeant was about to reply to her when something off into the distance suddenly caught his attention. He stopped, prompting Private Glimmer to do the same as he began to squint his eyes in order to make out who or what he was seeing past the barrier.

“What is It sir?” Glimmer asked as she looked at him.

Hard Kick didn’t answer, but instantly gave off a loud whistle out of his mouth and pointed a hoof towards another nearby patrol of five guards close by.

Glimmer still somewhat confused watched as the other five crystal guards quickly rushed over to the sergeant's call, all of them saluting except for the one the private identified as Sergeant Hawks who immediately began to look in the direction Hard Kicks was pointing.

“Ponies, 4 of them, Equestrians judging by their looks and the golden armor they are wearing underneath their cloaks.” Hawks casually summarized which made Glimmer to look at him wide eyed.

“Wait…you…you can make all of that out from THAT distance sir?” Private Glimmer asked, to which Hard Kick nodded.

“Hawks over here has some extremely sharp eyes for a pony.” He simply answered before switching his gaze back to the other ponies behind him. “Alright, all off, we got outsiders inbound and rushing towards the barrier, especially since the borders of the crystal empire are closed. Take your formation and keep your spears and swords ready. Same for you Glimmer.” Hard Kick ordered out.

“Sir, yes sir,” All of the guards including Glimmer saluted as they immediately took their position in between their two superiors, holding their spears and swords tightly after re-clipping there face guards back into place.

“Equestrians huh, same place where both Sombra and the princesses who banished us with him hail from, or so I heard. Let’s see what our southern neighbors have sent to us this time.” Hard Kick thought to himself as his stoic impression gave away more to a small frown.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

“This is the vault portal your highness.” A random crystal guard gestured with a hoof.

Both Ruby and Thera had accompanied him down into the some of the deepest areas of the city when a guard suddenly came up to them and told him that he was one of the few who knew of its location.

To say that this place was well guarded was an understatement, never had both Ruby or Thera travelled through so many secret passages, winding stairways and corridors and checkpoints. Most of which had been added extra by King Sombra himself to make sure all of his wealth and spoils would be impossible to reach even after his death. The reason why this particular guard knows of its location is because he was one of the poor souls that was brainwashed by Sombra to increase the number of his obsidian guard during his rule. What happened afterward during his death is pretty much self-explanatory.

On the other hand the Emperor just felt only somewhat impressed by this security system, since this one was only the second most heavily protected vault he ever had the pleasure of walking through it. With the first being the secret archives and artifact vaults back in Palamecia.

“Guards! Unlock these gates for his royal highness.” The guard ordered out to the other two crystal guards that accompanied him down here.

They did as asked as they both pulled out a pair of heavily enchanted crystal made keys and inserted them into their respected locks on each half of the metal door. Runes started to appear on the surfaces of the massive doors after the keys have been inserted causing the entire room to glow in multicolored lights as loud clicks and thuds were suddenly heard. The doors eventually opened forcing all of those standing in front of it to shield their eyes as a bright golden hue dominated the hall.

What both Thera and Ruby saw afterwards caused their jaws to hit the floor.

“Well what do have we here, the lost legendary treasure of King Gilgamesh Himself? All of this would be far beyond sufficient to get this city back on its heels while also funding all of my future projects and ideas.” The Emperor commented out casually as he made his way into the golden vault to have a better look of the mountains of gold and other valuables stored within this underground dome.

“No wonder that the city is in such a poor state, all of its riches have been hauled in here with none of its citizens to ever hold a single coin of it.” The Emperor thought as he walked up towards the closest pile and picked up a particularly large ruby from it.

“I always knew that the King had hoarded up a massive amount of wealth for himself during his reign by exploiting the mines and robbing the crystal citizens blindly. But never would I have imagined that he did so to such a ridiculous extent.” Ruby Quill said in complete awe as her, Thera and the guards accompanying them stepped into the massive vault themselves. Marveling at the sheer size of the underground cave and it's mind-blowing content of precious gold and silver.

“There has to be enough gold in here to build three brand new crystal empires from scratch.” Ruby called out as she picked up a random coin from the ground.

“It’s actually four times judging by my calculations.” The Emperor voiced out from the other side of mountain of gold which made Ruby drop the coin and face the direction of his voice with even wider eyes.

“That’s…that’s even WORSE.” Ruby shouted out. “A quarter of this treasure belongs to the crystal citizens above.” She quickly added.

“Indeed, which is exactly what I was planning to do in the first place.” The emperor answered as he continued to walk along the edges of the vault, observing its granite walls and glowing crystals imbedded in them.

Thera walked up to Ruby’s side as she picked up a beautifully crafted silver sword with a light blue hilt on the bottom. The blade itself had blue highlights and marking swirling and crisscrossing all across the silvery metal, with large dark blue crystal imbedded right above the hilts guard.

“Well just make the best of it I guess. I personally have no interest in gold or silver, my training and overall survival skills having made such luxuries redundant to me.” Thera commented as she gave the sword on her hoof a few test swings, and suddenly causing the gem on the bottom of the blade glow.

The entire blade suddenly changed from its silvery color to a soft light blue one as the markings and highlights onto it began to slightly glow, causing the very air around the blade to immediately go bone chilling cold with a soft appearance of vapor appearing around it.

Thera smiled at this as she switched her gaze to Ruby next to her. “But I do love to collect all kinds of unique swords and other weapons to bring with me back to Kazzas. Especially ones which are magical. Does anyone here mind if I keep this ice sword for myself?” She asked Ruby.

But before the mare in question could answered the sudden appearance of an exhausted crystal guard stopped her. He immediately began to look for and spotted the Emperor before making his way over to him before saluting.

“Your Highness, I have come bearing news regarding two separate subjects.” The guard announced in between huffs which got everyone’s attention.

The Emperor gave the stallion a sign to go on in which the stallion nodded before collecting both his breath and words.

“As I was saying your highness, I have been sent to relay two separate pieces of news that your majesty might be interested in hearing.” The guard huffed out before catching his breath and continuing. “For one, a group of both ponies and guards have discovered another deep and hidden underground vault right below the remnants of the arcane Crystal academy on the north west part of the city. A find that ‘according to some nobles’ that live there are filled with magical artifacts and gems made by the crystal unicorns that used to reside there.” The crystal guard explained before taking a few breath and continuing. “For the second news, guard patrols keeping a close eye on the crystal empire's borders while the crystal fair is in full swing have reported that they have stopped outsiders from entering the crystal empire proper and are awaiting further orders of what to do with them while they keep them contained there.” The guard finally finished his long message which caused everybody in the room to firmly give their attention to the both the guard and the Emperor, and the news that had been announced.

Ruby immediately took in a slightly worried expression after hearing of more unknown outsiders wanting entry into the empire while Thera on the other hoof simply looked intrigued and curious.

Same with the Emperor who had his mental focus more concentrated on the news of outsiders than the previous.

“Do you know who those outsiders are?” Mateus casually asked which made the guard nod in confirmation.

“Yes I do your highness. According to reports these outsiders seem to be Equestrian in origin. Equestrian ponies to be more on point, four of them, three guards and one princess if the reports are correct your highness.” The guard pony answered which made a certain ruby mare gasp out loud in surprise.

“Wai-wait, Equestrians you say?” Ruby began as she stood there wide eyed. “The last Equestrians that came into the crystal empire where both Sombra and his followers, followed by two princesses of that realm which defeated Sombra for the first time and banished the former king, including the entire empire itself either intentional or unintentional, into the timeless void where we were all trapped for who knows how long as far as I can remember.” Ruby explained before a look of realization suddenly crossed her features as she looked at the Emperor.

“You can’t let these Equestrian in your highness, they have been nothing but trouble for us in the past, regardless if their attentions now are good or not.” Ruby quickly pleaded which made some of the guards in the room feel somewhat the same as her.

“Is that so?” The Emperor began as he rubbed his chin in thought.

“Once again, need to study this world’s past and history for future context and ideas, especially when dealing with other nations of this realm at first.” He mentally noted before refocusing his attention back to the guard in front of him.

“Escort them in, but keep a clear eye on them and assign more guards around them in case they are anything but friendly. I shall await them in the throne room to personally assess them myself and see what their reasonings are in travelling to this realm in the first place.” The Emperor ordered out.

“Immediately your highness.” The guard saluted before quickly turning around and hurrying off out of the vault to relay his ruler’s message.

Ruby immediately stepped in after the guard has left. “Your highness, are you sure that this is a wise course of action letting four Equestrian guards and a princess into the city, even after everything I have just explained?” Ruby asked with a lot of concern in her tone, a reaction the Emperor can understand from her sometimes timid personality.

“I am perfectly aware of the possible risks here Ruby Quill. Even if they are true, it would still be seen as dishonoring to not allow entry of a fellow representative of a nation when the environments outside the barrier are far from ideal for anyone not naturally adapted to them. Which I doubt ponies are.” The Emperor explained before he started to make his way out of the vault himself.

“Besides, you also need to remember that the empire is currently in no position to handle possible hostilities, (not yet at least) so I would love to avoid such incidents when possible.” He quickly added before he exited the vault and into the underground corridor outside of it.

Ruby sighed before quickly following the emperor's hoof steps followed by a few guards, leaving Thera and two other guards alone in the massive space.

“Sooo…I guess this silence means a yes then.” Thera happily announced to no one in particular as she secured her newly acquired ice sword onto her belt before making her way out of the vault herself.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Cadence was prepared for a lot of things since she and her three escorts were sent off towards the crystal empire, ranging from Sombra attacking them personally on sight, from evil and horrifying monsters summoned by said unicorn, to seeing a completely broken and shattered empire, with its streets covered in the bodies of…crystal ponies.

But never, never was she ever prepared or even expected to being held back by the ends of spears by the same ponies she and her escorts came to help and liberate. Let alone actual hostility from them as well, something she could tell easily by looking at each and every glare she was receiving told her that she was far from welcome here.

“I will only repeat this once more equestrian. The borders of the crystal empire are currently closed to outsiders, unless getting confirmation from the Emperor himself you and your escorts are prohibited from even setting a hoof beyond the magical barrier, any attempt to not uphold our rules will be meant with force, possibly lethal as well if you and your companions have only come here to cause trouble.” An orange coated crystal guard repeated once more.

Cadence on the other hoof was utterly flabbergasted by this sudden turn of event as she continued to stutter with her eyes sometimes going down to the razor sharp spear tips closely pointed to her chest.

“Bu-but…but…I…I don’t…” She continued to stutter on before both the two guards and Shining behind her finally caught up with her.

Shining immediately grabbed Cadence shoulder, getting her immediate attention afterwards and giving her a look that invisibly told her to just drop it. “Leave it Cadence, we are obviously at a disadvantage here. Let me do the talking from this point on sweetie.” Shining suggested, and with a defeated sigh and a nod Cadence agreed before stepping back to let Shining do the diplomatic work here.

One of many things that he was required to do as an equestrian guard captain.

“May I enquire the reasons as to why the borders are closed?” Shining calmly asked, again one of the many traits he had learned in his years serving the royal guards. Staying calm in both serious and diplomatic situations. Though holding onto such traits was still a difficult part of his current situation, given the fact that the other side was heavily armed and literally completely armored from head to tail with the only indication of exposure and fur color being the open area around the eyes behind the helmet and the ears themselves sticking out from on top.

Shining had to mentally admit to himself that he was utterly in awe at the beauty and sheer complexity the crystal guard armor possessed. How each and every piece moved, bend and slide onto one another with each movement the pony underneath would make, as if it was actually its second skin instead of just armor.

He had read a lot of about the sheer talented craftsmanship that the crystal ponies had when it came to smithing, and everything else related to metal and crystal alike. But actually seeing it for himself is something entirely different all together.

He was in no doubt that if things would ever go south with both Equestria and the crystal empire…somehow, that the crystal ponies would always be the much better equipped army of these when Equestria obviously having the vastly numerical advantage and better magic.

A cough from the guard leader roused him back from his thought in which he gave the heavily armored stallion a sheepish smile in return.

“Oops sorry there…I…I kind of zoned out there for a second.” Shining sheepishly replied before he quickly regained his composure despite feeling highly embarrassed inside for his unprofessional slip there.

The stallion in front of him simply nodded, pretending as if nothing was amiss as he cleared his throat a second time to answer his question.

“Well to answer your question as to why the borders are closed, it’s because the empire has just began its long process of recovering from King Sombra’s damage and tyranny. Basically licking its wounds before getting back up so to speak.” The stallion explained which immediately caused Shining to raise his eyebrow after the previous mentioned King Sombra.

“Wa-wait a minute.” Shining began. “The way you mentioned Sombra’s name and title back then…would suggest that he is no longer the king of the crystal empire. Is that correct?” Shining asked carefully which immediately drew the attention of both of the two guards and especially his wife as her ears perked up.

“Well actually Sombra is dead.” The stallion casually replied which had the immediate effect of causing every eye and jaw to open up on the other side.

“Wait…he is WHAT??!!” Cadence shouted in disbelief as she pushed herself in front of her husband out of reflex, until she was quickly stopped by a wall of spears pointed towards her once more.

Shining was about to say something himself when the sudden appearance of another pony running down a nearby cobblestone road caused everypony to pause momentarily as the newcomer quickly stopped and saluted while panting.

“Sir Hard Kick, I bring answers from the Emperor himself just as requested.” The crystal guard pony reported in which the lead guard nodded before giving a hoof sign for him to continue on.

The stallion in question nodded back before dropping his salute to continue with his message. “The emperor has personally requested that these outsiders should be escorted to the throne room immediately, if they desire to come and stay in the city that is. He wishes to see and speak with them himself and eventually decide what to do with them later on” The stallion reported as another set of four guards immediately came marching down the same road the stallion took before stopping and taking position behind him.

“I see.” The lead guard casually replied before looking back at the 4 Equestrians next to him with both of the two guards and Cadence sharing nervous glances with each other while Shining simply kept his cool.

“Alright then.” Hard Kick began as he looked over at the four newcomers. “You four search the Equestrians and confiscate any illegal items and weapons on them.” He ordered out in which the selected four immediately went on their task in searching the four ponies and demanding to give up all of their weapons and equipment.

At first the two guards were hesitant, but a closely pointed spear and a nod from their captain quickly remedied that as they reluctantly began to hoof over both their weapons and armor to the crystals guards, followed by their captain. Cadence was the last one to get searched, she was obviously reluctant herself but quickly realized that she was in absolutely no position to say otherwise as she was forced to watch the guard search through her saddle-bags and blushing embarrassingly as the guard eventually found something that he probably wished he didn’t before closing the bag up quickly, electing those who have been watching to give these two some strange looks. Especially a guard mare who silently chuckled to herself.

With the search done and everything confiscated they see as illegal within the crystal empire. Sergeant Hard Kick instructed the Equestrians to keep themselves in a two by two line with a trio of guards flanking them on either side before starting to move, past the magic barrier and onto a cobblestone road leading into the city. With him and a violet guard mare next to him.

As the group of both ponies and crystal ponies made their way closer and closer towards the crystal city, the distinct sound of ongoing festivities and music could be heard clearer and louder.

The Equestrians were immediately in awe the moment they entered the city proper, marveling at the glimmer and shimmer of the crystal made streets, building and overall unique architecture the city had. Especially for Cadence as all she had ever seen or heard of the famed crystal empire were both from her aunt and the extensive history books she read about them…which was quickly ruined when she felt something jab her flank with the butt of a spear, causing her to yelp in surprise and bring her back to the reality of their situation.

“Keep in line Equestrian, as instructed.” A guard mare beside her ordered as she moved her spear back.

“Just keep moving dear, we can marvel at the city at a later time after this whole mess we found our self in has been cleared. Let’s just continue to go by their rules and not cause any more unnecessary problems then we already have.” Shining whispered from next to her as they continued to make their way through the surprisingly empty streets of the city with only a few citizens here and there giving them curious looks as they passed by.

“Strange I wonder where all the crystal ponies are?” Cadence wondered to herself as they continued to move closer and closer to the massive crystal palace in the center of the city as both the music and sounds of festivity began to grow even louder.

Her questions though where swiftly answered as her and the rest of their group finally made it to what all of them guessed was the main central plaza surrounding the crystal palace.

What they saw left all of the Equestrians both surprised and somewhat confused.

“Another reason why the borders are closed in the first place is because the annual crystal fair that is currently taking place within the city.” The same guard mare who poked Cadence earlier explained to them as a few crystal guards began to move forward in front of them and carving out a path for them within the sea of both on going crystal ponies, stalls and event stages.

Crystal ponies all around them, were happily drinking, laughing, chatting, dancing, and playing games, and other activities that many nearby stalls and close by shops provided.

A lot of happy going citizens nearby promptly ceased whatever activity they were doing as the Equestrians lead by the crystal guard passed by them. Some of them simply giving them curious stares while other actually acting more suspicious, mostly parents as they pushed their foals behind them in an attempt to keep them away and out of sight.

“Mommy who are those guards escorting?” Cadence could hear one of the foals say, a filly judging by its voice as murmurs from the on watching crowd started to erupt around them.

“I do not know, Lilith, sweetie but if the crystal guard is involved with them then I guess they can’t be good news.” Cadence could faintly hear as they continued their trek towards the massive palace in a much quicker paste.

A pair of another two guards greeted them as they approached one of the four massive legs keeping the entire structure of the palace suspended off the ground, causing them to momentarily halt and once again marvel at the architecture as the guard leading them exchanged a few words with them, with Cadence completely unable to make what they were saying thanks to the still ongoing festivities going on in the background.

A ruby coated mare suddenly emerged from behind the gates, approaching the lead guard and exchanging some words with him as well, looking at Cadence and her group from time to time as the exchange continued.

“Do you know what will be happening to us sir.” One of the royal guards behind her asked. Nervousness clearly audible in his tone which caused Shining to look over his shoulder towards him.

Shining shook his head. “I have no idea, but what I do know is that we are simply being treated as suspicious outsiders rather than straight on enemies. So just remember your training and keep a cool mind soldier.” Shining responded which made the guard nod, followed by his companion afterwards, and just in time too as the previously unknown mare made her way over towards them with a surprisingly friendly look on her features.

“The Emperor is waiting for you in the throne room, if you would be so kind as to follow me I can lead you all to him.” The ruby mare instructed with again a rather friendly and welcome tone.

“Oh and…I also would like to personally apologize for the extremely strict behavior of the crystal guard. Safety is first after all, especially in times of vulnerability and slight disarray within the empire.” The mare added with a sheepish smile which made Shining offer a more genuine one in return.

“That is alright miss…uh”

“Ruby Quill, just Ruby Quill. No need to be formal since I am just the emperor’s personal assistant and record keeper.” She replied to which Shining nodded.

“Well yes Ruby Quill, as I said it’s quite alright and understandable, especially given the recent liberation of your nation from the brutal king Sombra…or so I heard from the crystal guard that escorted us here.” Shining politely responded in which Ruby quill confirms with a nod.

“Well it is true, we have to thank our new emperor for the tyrants quick and easy demise.” Ruby Quill confirmed which caused Shining to raise a curious eyebrow.

“Wait…your Emperor was the one who has supposedly slain the unicorn king?” Shining asked which again was answered with a nod from her.

“He did, I was actually there when it all happened as well. I was part of King Sombra’s…personal…selection of mare prisoners when the emperor and his companion casually trotted into the….Ahh what am I doing? I sure the emperor would do a much better job of explaining the event then I ever could. I was too busy getting blinded by magic flashes at the time so I don’t really know much of the details.” Ruby Quill explained as she once again sported a rather awkward looking smile on her face at the end.

Shining on the other hoof was feeling slightly suspicious about all of this. Call it a simple hunch if you will. But for some reason he could already tell that this…Emperor had trouble written all over him before he even met him.

A random and completely unknown pony doesn’t just appear out of nowhere and allegedly slay one of the most powerful and most ruthless unicorns who ever lived in a single fight.

This concept alone was bugging him to no end and he was sure going to get to the bottom of it. With the first step being in meeting this new Emperor of course.

He shook his head to get his train of thought back under control as he focused his attention back to Ruby Quill in front of him. “Well we are ready to have an audience with the crystal empire's monarch if you are? I would personally love to meet the pony who is responsible for the final defeat of Equestria’s most dangerous individuals, and alleged savior of the crystal empire.” Shining politely stated with a smile, mostly to just mask his suspicion he was feeling about this guy.

Ruby Quill simply smiled and nodded before beckoning them to follow her with a hoof sign as she lead the way past the gate and into the palace proper, which the Equestrians did while still being watched and flanked by six heavily armed guards.

“Let’s go get a closer look at this so called Emperor shall we?” Shining thought to himself as the sound of hoof hitting cobblestone got swiftly replaced by crystal instead as he and his group were escorted into the interior of the crystal palace to meet its new ruler.

“Also what the hay did Cadence actually bring with her on this journey? I have never personally seen her packing her bags”