The ponies of the small town of Ponyville were all relieved to see the ice has melted and everypony was alive and trotting about, they had no idea that the danger was still about, however five ponies were well aware things were not back to normal.

Applejack galloped around the town, she was on a search for a Purple unicorn and her little Alicorn daughter, she was told what happened by Big Macintosh and Granny Smith, but she had no memory since being frozen in ice. the only thing she did remember was she could hear twilight's voice when she called her. but after being freed everything became a blur.

Applejack looked skywards seeing a cyan blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane zip past before coming in to land.

"Any luck?" Applejack asked.

"We've looked at the Library, park, the shops, I even had spike help me look around in Nyx's old castle, we can't find Twilight or Nyx anywhere. it's like they disappeared!" Rainbow said.

Applejack cursed under her breath, she was told time and again by spike, but for some reason she became more confused. what in Celestia's Mane would Twilight want to go so far east for. it didn't help Spike was busy helping the three train ponies that came into town.

"You know, I'm starting to think we should listen to Spike, AJ. Twilight isn't here, and those train ponies said where they were going." Rainbow said as she fluttered her wings.

Applejack sighed, it felt wrong that Twilight left without them. but from what she was told, the whole town was frozen including herself and the others. Twilight had to act. and thinking about it, she wasn't alone. she had Nyx. she may be a filly but atleast Twilight had somepony to watch her back.

"I reckon yer right. but everything feels wrong. the sun isn't as bright as it should be, and did you see the sky last night?" Applejack said as she trotted to her Pegasus friend.

"Yeah, I noticed. Maybe Princess Luna is trying out a new look for the moon and stars.... if you like scary as Tartarus that is?" Rainbow said, she began to trot back into town with Applejack.

once the two ponies reached town hall, they are reunited with Fluttershy and Rarity. the two had given up their search much earlier as they too realized it was in vein. eventually Pinkie Pie bounced up to them.

"Well I reckon they really are gone." Applejack said. "It don't feel right. we've been friends since Twilight came to this here town. she'd never leave us."

Rarity however huffed. "Applejack I understand how you feel, but we have to trust Twilight on this."

"Yer right, Rare, but I still don't like it." Applejack said as she sat on her haunches. "I wish her all the luck though. she and little Nyx."

Pinkie Pie nodded and bounced up to them. "Well until then we have a duty to uphold!"

Rarity's ears perked. "and what duty is that, Pinkie?"

Pinkie Pie smiled her voice turning soft and slow, yet sincere. "We need to be ready for when Twilight does come back. we need to be ready for when she needs our help."

Applejack stomped her hoof kicking up a small cloud of dirt causing Fluttershy to cough. "Yer right Pinkie! we won't be of no use to Twilight if we're mopin around, Rarity, you an Fluttershy should go back to the library. have the Elements of Harmony ready for when Twilight Arrives. Pinkie, you and Rainbow Dash are with me. we need to keep an eye out fer that little pony when she comes back and be quick as a whip if she needs help."

Rarity nodded. "Good plan applejack. come along dear."

Fluttershy smiled and nodded. "right behind you, Rarity."

the light grey unicorn and yellow pegasus made their way back to the Golden Oaks library, Rarity using a spell Twilight tought her to open the identification lock spell to open the display case for the Elements of harmony.

"Rarity, do you wonder why Twilight took Nyx with her?" Fluttershy asked as she took her butterfly necklace and placed it on her neck.

Rarity did the same with her element. "now fluttershy, Nyx may be little, but she is still an Alicorn."

Fluttershy pawed at the floor with her hoof. "Yes. but don't you remember? Princess Luna took her powers away. I know she's gotten better with her magic, but at most she can only lift things. she's not able to do much else. and she's so tiny...."

Rarity looked to Fluttershy and rested a hoof on her shoulder. "Now fluttershy, I fully understand your feelings. but let's also take heart in knowing poor Twilight isn't alone. she has little Nyx by her side, and let us not forget her special talent is defending and fighting for the ponies she cares for."

Spike walked up to Rarity and fluttershy, in his claws was a plate with two cups filled with freshly brewed tea.

"why thank you spike, your quite the gentleman." Rarity said as she levitated the cup and took a sip.

"your welcome. would you like something to eat?" Spike asked. "I kinda feel like a fifth wheel since everypony is free now."

"Actually I would like a biscuit if you have any?" Fluttershy asked softly, taking a sip of the tea.

"right away. how about you Rarity?" Spike asked.

"Oh yes, I too would like only half a biscuit." Rarity said. she tried to hide it but she was wanting to watch her figure.

Spike went off to the kitchen as he began to prepair the meal. Rarity went up to the reading table, the book Twilight intended to read still layed open. Rarity began to read the rather erotic book and blushed, smiling a bit.

"My goodness, I knew Twilight was single but I never knew she had such interests." Rarity said as she turned the page.

Fluttershy trotted up and looked at the book, squeeking as she blushed. "Oh my! I never knew Twilight was into such things!"

Spike returned soon after with a biscuit and a half. "Here you are, ladies! one whole biscuit, and one half for my lady Rarity!"

Rarity levitated the morsal and took a small bite. "mmmh, very delicious. thank you Spike. I see why you're Twilight's number one assistant, your a really good cook."

Spike smiled. "Twilight Velvet tought me alot on how to cook, I also watched the cooks in the Canterlot kitchins in the castle."

Rarity paused in mid nibble as her ears perked. "do you hear that?"

Fluttershy swallowed as she too perked and swiveled her ears. "sounds like a chariot."

Outside Pinkie Pie held a pair of binoculars up to her eyes, peering hard at the chariot approaching.

"Somepony's comin, two Unicorns a Pegasus, and one Alicorn at 12 o'clock!" Pinkie shouted as she stood on a makeshift watch tower made of stacked chairs, tables, and the occassional confused pony.

Pinkie Pie got down from the makeshift tower, hanging the binoculars from her neck. she zipped like a dart through the town streets, weaving and jumping over the occassional pedestrian pony as they go about their day, even taking a detour through Vinyl Scratch and Octavia's house.

"Hiya Vinyl!" Pinkie said passing the headphone wearing unicorn.

Vinyl smiled and waved to the pink pony as she passed. Pinkie Pie bounced her way up to Applejack and Rainbow Dash as she gave a salute.

"Covert Agent Pinkie Pie reporting!" Pinkie said in a faux Militaristic manner.

"Whatcha got fer us, Pinkie?" Applejack asked.

"I spotted a Chariot with a Pegasus pulling and three passengers onboard. they should be landing any moment!"

"Good job, Pinks." Rainbow dash said. "I'll go intercept them and bring them to land in the town square."

With that Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and took to the skies, Applejack went to the town square and watched as the Cyan pegasus and the Chariot pegasus began to turn and made their way to land. at the same time Rarity and Fluttershy arrived, Fluttershy still eating her biscuit.

Rainbow Dash flew overhead as the Chariot settled to a landing, the pegasus pulling it was a young light blue pegasus with Orange eyes he met their looks as he stopped and panted. trying hard not to collapse right then and there.

Rainbow Dash landed beside Applejack as they looked up on the Chariot, the one they noticed the most was the Armor clad Unicorn as he stepped off, Rarity couldn't help but give an audible "oooooh." at the sight of him, it's when they looked to the last two passengers then everypony grew excited. the scene also drew the Ponies of the town to the commotion.

"TWILIGHT!" the five said in unison, they galloped up and began to bombard their unicorn friend with questions upon questions.

"Everypony please! I'll tell you everything I learned soon, but right now I would really like to get back to the library and rest." Twilight said as she got up.

"Wow Twilight, what's with the armor?" Rainbow Dash said looking at her reflection.

"Oh yes, it is quite stylish on you." Rarity said as she looked it over. "it's beautiful and elegant while also saying 'I'm a mare who can take care of herself." it's absolutely stunning."

Twilight giggled and yawned. "Again I'll explain in a bit." She looked behind her. "come along Nyx."

it's when little Nyx hopped up and glided gently out of the Chariot did everypony gasp. seeing the filly adorn in the bluish silver armor got everypony's attention.

"Oh and I thought twilight's armor was beautiful!" Rarity gasped as she looked at the armor. "Oh I do wish to have a closer look, but you all seem so tired. please allow us to guide you back to the Library."

"Thank you, Rarity." Twilight said as she followed her friends back to her home.

------

It's been two hours since returning to the Golden Oaks Library, Twilight and Nyx sat in the library's main room with their friends circled around them, Telling their friends of the entire week of their adventures. while Broadsword and Nightquill were looking through the books.

Broadsword however was most interested in the knowledge they contained. After all despite being able to commune with his fallen Knight Brothers, he knew nothing of the outside world. to him everything was new. the world was bigger there's been much advancement in technology, some practices have died or replaced with new ones, Ponies themselves felt different. indeed it was a new world out there and he wanted to learn about it, to him it wasn't just wanting to keep up to date. it was because he was a Knight of Harmony, who sworn themselves to serve Equestria. how can he serve Equestria if he was stuck in the past with archaic views and mannerisms that have been dead and forgotten for centuries.

Nightquill however turned out to be quite the reader. in fact he enjoyed reading, this caught Twilight's gaze a few times after he managed to complete a whole tome and move on to the next. he even took out a paper and quill and jotted down notes and and slipped them into his saddlebags. Nightquill's cutie mark a Black Feather with three Stars above it in a triangle was not hereditary from his mother as it does happen in some cases. no this is because Nightquill's Special Talent is being a scholar. he had a thirst for knowledge. in fact it's how he got a lot of his knowledge from what books they had at Hollow Shades, he read every one of them! ranging from foal raising to medical knowledge.

Despite this however he hid his knowledge quite well. not out of fear, quite the opposite Hollow Shades would have loved to have Nightquill to use that knowledge. but Nightquill had an obligation to the Hunters, and Freefall hated stuck up eggheads.

Finally after almost an hour and twenty minutes Twilight had caught her friends up on all that has happened.

"So, there's this giant Alicorn from the time before Princess Celestia and Princess Luna that eats this stuff called Life Force that gives Plants, Animals, and us here Ponies it's life. and you and Nyx went off to stop this monster. ya'll had to fight Elementals, Racist Incest ponies, survive an Airship crash, and after All that you found out that it was Nyx who was the new crusader, and Not you?" Applejack stated like it was a long laundry list.

Twilight sat there for a moment then nodded. "Yeah that was the gist of it."

"Gotta say Twi. of all the things we've went against. this takes the cake of the most Bizarre." Rainbow Dash said.

"Well it Does make sense if you look at how often somepony or something comes along wanting to spank us for breakfast." Pinkie Pie said as she wrapped her foreleg around rainbow dash's shoulder. "think about it, since Nightmare Moon was released we had evil baddies pop up every so often, why if they weren't so horribly horrible I'd throw a 'Welcome-to-Equestria-Badguy-who-wants-to-do-very-Bad-stuff-to-us' Party!"

Applejack however snorted and stomped her hoof. "Well we're on your side Twilight! we even got our Elements of harmony ready, so you just say the word and we're on that Queen Ryugu like stink on a hog!"

"EEW!" Rarity looked at Applejack in disgust. "Honestly Applejack couldn't you choose a better terminology?"

Applejack sighed as she rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean, Rarity."

Rarity relaxed and nodded. "Yes, I do, and your right."

This whole time Rarity has been looking over Twilight's Armor, Broadsword didn't allow her to even touch Nyx's armor, and even shouted at Pinkie Pie for trying the helmet on. it took Nyx talking to the ancient Knight for him to give them more leeway, Nyx ensured they could be trusted with handling the armor. especially when said armor already chose her to wear it.

Twilight sighed as she got up for the upstairs bedroom. "I hope you guys don't mind, but I am going to go rest for a while."

"Of course, Darling!" Rarity said helping Twilight up the stairs as the purple Unicorn nearly slipped a step. "you and little Nyx here have been through Tartarus and back! you deserve a break."

"Thank you Rarity." Twilight said. "Coming Nyx?"

Nyx nodded as she took her armor off and set it on the kitchen table, she had Broadsword keep an eye on it but said her friends had every right to at least look at the armor. Broadsword didn't argue and did agree the armor should be admired for it's beauty.

"Alright, M'lady. go rest, you've deserved it." Broadsword said as he sat at the table.

"Also," Nyx began tapping Broadsword's chest armor. "I know your a knight and have obligations to serve and protect. but I recommend getting out of the armor at the very least if only to get it cleaned."

Broadsword blinked and looked down at himself. the armor was enchanted but was beginning to show wear and was quite dirty. he began to remove the gauntlets.

"Uhm. you can also use a bath too." Nyx said softly. "I wasn't going to say anything. but..."

Broadsword balked and gave himself a sniff and gagged. "PHEW! Yes, your correct. might I ask where the bathing chamber is?"

Nyx blinked. "Uhm. we have a bath upstairs."

After showing the ancient Knight the way to the bathroom and after showing him how the bathtub worked she left Broadsword to his task.

Meanwhile downstairs Rarity was looking over Nyx's Crusader armor. looking at herself in it's reflection, it's when she looked at the boots did she see her element was reacting to it.

"Oooh. I guess the Elements and the Armor have alot in common. but still Look at it!" Rarity smiled, she was so enchanted by the armor. "I never knew Armor could look so regal."

it was then Broadsword returned with a towl resting on his shoulders, he had no armor on. indeed Nyx had asked Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie to see about cleaning it.

"the armor changes form when a pony wears it. it looked much different then this. but with the new Crusader being an Alicorn the Armor's enchantments reformed the armor to reflect that." Broadsword stated.

Rarity jumped, she looked back at Broadsword and recomposed herself as such.

"OH! You almost gave me a fright!"

"I do apologize, Ma'am." Broadsword said as he went and sat at the table.

Rarity looked the stallion over, he was slender and lean, but no doubt strong. his cutiemark was a Shield with a sword rested ontop of it vertically. this symbol she was told was what the priests at the Temple of harmony had on their robes.

"So, may I ask." Rarity began. "are you really thousands of years old? if so how did you ever keep such a youthful complexion?"

Broadsword smiled. "Actually I've been put under hibernation, uhm, well a really long sleep. My brothers, the other knights used half their souls to enchant the armor. and after the defeat of Ryugu and Death of the first Crusader, My brothers decided to put what remained of their life essence in a single surviving knight, so he may live to protect the armor and sword until the next Crusader is chosen. that Knight was me."

Rarity looked at Broadsword, at first in amazement before sadness. "Oh I am so very sorry, to loose your friends that way and for them to sacrifice themselves like that only for you to survive, it must have been hard."

"it was." Broadsword sighed, taking a cup of applejuice. "But we swore an oath, one I hold onto this very minute."

Rarity leaned in. "So, I'd hate to be too personal---"

"No it's fine. I think it's alright to say any personal baggage I had withered in the sands of time." Broadsword said as he drank. "ooh this is good."

Rarity chuckled a bit and sat down. "Well if I may ask something personal. uhm. did you leave anypony behind, Family?"

Broadsword went silent for a moment, turning the cup around several times as he watched the contents stir. "Mother and Father died when I was very young, that's before Ryugu's turn to darkness. Had no siblings."

"Oh." Rarity said. "What was Ryugu like before she lost her marbles?"

"Huh?" Broadsword tilted his head. "I do not think she owned Marbles to lose."

Rarity giggled, "no, Darling. it's an expression. I mean what was the queen like before she turned evil."

Broadsword blinked. "Oh. she was actually not too different from your Princess Celestia. she was loving, Beautiful. when a peasant came to the castle starving when the crops didn't grow, she was the first to bring them food. she'd give the very blanket off her back if you were colder then she."

Rarity sighed. "it's a shame someone like that would be turned into a monster."

"from what I understand," Broadsword said as he took another sip of the apple juice. "Alicorns are more subseptible to corruption then normal ponies. they're very powerful true, but that power can easily be used to harm others." Broadsword stated. "It's one of the reasons I founded the Knights of Harmony. it wasn't just to fight Ryugu, it was to defend Equestria and prevent the next princess from becoming corrupted. if we haven't been defeated and the order wasn't lost to time, we may have been able to prevent the rise of Nightmare Moon."

"True, but I do fear we'd not have our little Nyx to this day."   Rarity stated as she looked at the helmet. "But, back to my previous question.... did you... leave anypony close behind?"

"some friends, but the closest were my fellow Knights. Celtia and Rockshatter, they were sisters and very capable fightiers. Celtia was the best Archer we had, and Rockshatter, heh you better not get her angry when she had that hammer of hers. then there was Stonehoof, he was a master at wing bladed swords. he was wise and an amazing tactician, he had a thing for Rockshatter." Broadsword chucked. "from what I recall he found the temper with a hammer more attractive. then there was Windshear, now that was a Pegasus who could leave your Rainbow Maned friend in the dust. he wasn't very strong. but he was amazingly fast. he was gentle but when he served the order he used that sword to cut down anything that got in his way. Finally there was Feyaden. besides me he was one of the most powerful Battle mages in the kingdom."

Rarity nodded to each name and description, she envisioned the six knights. "Uhm what about the crusader? what was he like?"

Broadsword paused and smiled. "the first crusader was a Unicorn by the name of Storm Trotter, he got that name because he was able to use lightening from a storm to power his magic. didn't hurt him either. it's one of the abilities he used to fight Ryugu..... he was a very close and dear friend to the order." he paused and looked to Rarity. "when we made this armor, Storm Trotter was the first to put it on. he wasn't even a Knight. he was one of the guards that originally served under the queen."

Broadsword however slammed his hoof on the table making Rarity jump a bit.

"I told him it was a mistake!" he growled. "blasted fool said it was the only way and he was right. but he was no fighter! not a good one anyway. went headlong against Ryugu. true he landed good hits with that sword, but he could never call upon the Armor's power to guide him. Storm Trotter was a good stallion taken as another victim of crisis!"

Broadsword sighed and relaxed a bit. the other ponies in the library came to check on the commotion but Rarity waved them off, she felt the ancient stallion needed to talk to somepony about it. and right now he only needed one.

"I am sorry. I never got to talk to anypony about it. by the time it was said and done I was put to sleep." Broadsword said drinking the rest of the juice.

Rarity smiled and shook her head. "No, Darling, it's quite understandable. I think I'd feel the same way too."

Rarity looked at the Sword of Wisdom and saw her reflection in the blade.

"it is a very beautiful blade." Broadsword said. "one of Stonewing's best work. he was good with a blade but way better at making them. we had another Blacksmith make the armor however."

Rarity turned and fidgeted her hooves. "One last question if I may?"

"Certainly, Miss."

"Oh, just call me Rarity please." Rarity said as she looked to the sword. "Did you have a 'Special' somepony?"

Broadsword looked dumfounded, but he understood the question. "I did."

Rarity sighed. "Oh I see. what happened to her?"

Broadsword was about to answer but paused. "uhm. not a her."

"Not a her? what do you----" Rarity stopped and realized. "oh.... OH!"

Rarity stammered a bit, she didn't expect Broadsword to have a preference for other stallions, though this wasn't unusual now.

"it's quite alright, it's much more accepted now then it probably was in your time." Rarity said. "May I ask the gentlecolt's name?"

Broadsword sighed. "Storm Trotter."

Rarity gasped. "Oh I am SO sorry, I didn't intend to open old wounds. I wanted to learn more about you and...."

Broadsword chuckled. "No no, it's quite all right."

Rarity sighed. "well at least I won't need to embarress myself in asking if you had interest in twilight."

"Eh, she's all Right." Broadsword said shrugging his shoulders. "not my type. and I don't have a preference to any one gender. it's just. at the time he was the only one I was interested in."

"Oh!" Rarity chirped. "Well is there anypony your interested in now?"

Broadsword raised a brow and thought a moment. "Well.... there is One...."

Rarity grinned. "OOOH! who is it, come now I won't tell. A lady never betrays the trust of a friend, and a lady certainly NEVER Gossips those secretes. at least I don't"

Broadsword blinked and after a moment pointed a hoof. Rarity followed his hoof to a light blue Pegasus with orange eyes and charcoal mane, Nightquill. he was reading the erotic book Twilight had and that Rarity and Fluttershy read not long ago. although he was blushing a bright red that complimented his coat.

"Oh my, well I can see why, he's a very attractive Pegasus." Rarity said looking him over with a scrutinizing gaze like she would a dress.

"Well, You did ask." Broadsword said. "Although I don't think he'd be too interested, he seems more infatuated with his half sister." the ancient knight added with a look of disgust in his face. "Well, I try not to judge, but...."

"Oh, No it's quite understandable." Rarity said as she watched Nightquill move from one book to another. "However, you need to tell him."

Broadsword nodded. "Your right. still I hate to make a fool of myself."

Rarity smiled and turned back to Broadsword. "he needs to know, Broadsword. besides aren't Knights supposed to deal with their troubles head on? this is no different. tell him how you feel. if he doesn't feel the same, or if he turns out to swing both ways you'll know and he'll know. in the end though it's what you do that make your relationship with him stronger or loosen for it."

the ancient Knight paused and laughed. " yes I suppose your right. your awfully accepting of this, I've noticed. in my day if stallion lay with stallion it turnes them to social outcasts."

Rarity smiled and ran her hoof through her mane. "As I've said. times changed. we're more accepting of it now. theres a few same sex couples here in this town. I even known and done business for many ponies with same sex partners. many became very close friends of mine. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are very accepting of same sex relationships and marriage. Princess Celestia even enforced legalization of it a long time ago."

Broadsword smiled. "Well, I guess I should go see what my fellow Knight is reading, judging by the cute blush on his face he's got his muzzle into something interesting."

and with that he went to the Library room as Rarity watched him leave she sighed and looked at the armor. she then tapped her hoof on her chin and suddenly the look of inspiration hit.

"OOH, IDEEEEEAAAAA!" Rarity's horn glowed as she took some paper and a quill and began writing.

Upon finishing her paper, Rarity folded the parchment and tucked it in her saddlebags. she began to the door and saw Nightquill who was reading another book. she rubbed her hoof on her chin and smiled.

"Uhm. Nightquill is it?"

"yes."

Rarity smiled and began to guide the light blue pegasus to Broadsword. "why don't you share those books with Broadsword here?"

Broadsword looked over to Nightquill as he's ushered to his little corner of the library looking over a book about better sword techniques used by the Canterlot guard. his ears perked up as Rarity firmly but gently nudges Nightquill over to him.

"Perhaps you two can find something interesting to talk about?" Rarity said, her voice was sweet and soothing.

"uhm. All right." the rather confused Nightquill said, opening a book with the nudge of his wings as he showed Broadsword what he's been reading.

Rarity smiled as she saw Broadsword smile if also blush a bit. normally she didn't like when ponies in town played match maker with each other. but she also felt the old knight needed help of some form, he hid it well but he was quite shy if not unsure of himself when it came to opening up about his feelings.

"Everypony, I will be leaving for a short time. I'm going to the boutique to get some supplies. it may take me a while, but I'll be back soon." Rarity announced as she began to the door.

"All right, Rarity. you take care of yerself." Applejack said, she was laying near the fireplace nodding off.

"You sure you don't need help?" Rainbow Dash asked, she was reading the latest Daring Do book, but was near to the last chapter.

Rarity thought for a moment. "Actually yes, would you and Fluttershy mind coming with me? I'll need help carrying the supplies."

Fluttershy flew up to Rarity. "Certainly. but what do you need help with?"

"Yeah? kind of an odd time to be making a dress, isn't it?" Rainbow said as she set the book aside and opened the door.

"oh you'll see!" Rarity sang as she cantered out the door. the way she moved she seemed to have a bounce in her step.