Nyx, Twilight, and their new companion, Nightquill made little haste as they hit the trail. and not long after Twilight's mood began to lighten. looking back she felt calmer then before. the odd feeling in her body was also leaving.

"Feeling it now?" Nightquill asked. he seemed more docile now.

"Yeah.... I felt so angry before. now I don't.... it's weird. there was this other odd sensation too." Twilight said,

She knew why she was angry and wanted to hurt Revelation and even Freefall. but now it felt like those feelings were more extreme then they should have.

"I should explain." Nightquill started as he landed and trotted beside her. "The Magical barrier that covers the town does more then masks our town from Celestia and Luna, it has another affect. because the town is so small breeding regimens have to be kept at a scheduled. and it's supposed to be spring coming up which we date our breeding seasons on so---"

Twilight's eyes snapped wide. "WAIT! you mean to tell me that barrier was making me...." Twilight's face went bright red.

"Yeah, it's one of the reasons nopony is allowed to leave the town when they enter." Nightquill said rubbing the back of his head. "the town is so Inbred now, we rely on newcomers to keep the bloodline diverse enough. so when a pony comes to town they are made to stay especially Mares."

Twilight felt wrong. her own body was being manipulated against her will by inbred racist bigots that if they decided differently would force her to---

"Mom, how far is Saddle Tor now?" Nyx asked.

'OH THANK YOU, NYX. And your ever curious little mind!' Twilight thought to herself as she pulled out a map, this one from the book itself.

"Says here it's just a few Miles, now." Twilight looked up and paused, a smile crept on her face as she pointed an armored hoof. "Or you can just look up that mountain!"

As Nyx looked, she saw it, Nestled on the side of the mountain, a stunning view in itself with the sun beginning to set behind it. was a path of stone steps, three white stone arches leading to a massive building made of white stone, a Blue dome sat on it's roof with gold trim running up to the center with a gold bullet cap. the tower's sides had grand size battlement windows for ponies of it's age to occupy to defend against trespassers or any who attempted to raid it.

As they made their way to the building they see a statue depicting six Ponies in Knight's armor, one of which was the same Pegasus Knight from Hollow Shade's but they could see a second Pegasus in near the same armor but holding a Mace instead and a shield. they saw two Unicorns, one brandishing a bastard sword and the other holding a Bow and arrow. the two earth ponies however had the most heaviest armor, yet due to their size compared to the others, they were mares. One had a large sword while the other had a rather large nasty hammer.

"Oh wow!" Twilight gasped as she trotted around the statue using a sketch pad and pencle to do sketches of it. "this is probably the most important historical find in Equestrian History! why when this is all over I want to see if Princess Celestia can allow me to bring a team up here and---"

"But we're not allowed back to hollow Shades." Nyx stated.

"who said I'd go the same rout? I looked at the map again, there's  train rout that goes past these mountains to manehattan. we could bypass Hollow Shades all together." Twilight looked up at the tower. "besides the Princesses would recognize the historical importance alone! one of the few structures from a time before Princess Celestia and princess Luna! look at these statues, the time it must have took to construct them alone!"

"I guess I need to tell Aunt Cadance you have a thing for Bells, AND really old Statues." Nyx said as she smiled.

Twilight sighed in annoyance. "I DON'T HAVE A THING FOR BELLS!" she shouted with a little hop. "What does that even supposed to imply, Anyway?"

Nightquill cleared his throat. "uhm ladies, perhaps we should get inside? all of equestria dying and such?"

Twilight looked dumbfounded as Nyx giggled at her. "Fine."

Making their way up the steps, Twilight took quick notes on the architecture of the arches and stone steps, noting each arch had ancient pony writing on it, if she had time she'd try to decipher them. but right now she could only take notes. they had their priorities, but not to make some sort of documentation of their discoveries would be a crime in itself. at least that's how twilight saw it.

"Wow, Rarity would loved the gold detailing on the dome." Nyx said as she looked at the tower as they approached. "I'm amazed it stood for so long, in the harsh of the cold. wind, rain.... yet it looks so untouched."

"I know. it's breath taking. really makes you appreciate the craftsmareship of Ponies back then." Twilight said as she looked in the book and began to read out loud. "Ehem. 'And so a great tower was built on the foundations of a mountain full of the richest treasures. ponies of all races contributed to it's construction, each aspect a contribution of their efforts. Take off and landing points for Pegasi, Battlements for Earth ponies, and gems to enhance a unicorn's magic in times of a crisis.' the Tower was like a symbol of Ponies of all three species to work together when all was against them."

they reached the huge double doors. upon stepping hoof on the final step they felt warmth emanating from the tower, as though it accepted them. all except Nightquill.

"Something's wrong. I don't feel right coming closer." Nightquill said as he stepped back. feeling normal.

Twilight smiled looking up at the double doors. she took a moment to decipher the ancient texts inscribed on them. the depiction of each knight adorn the two doors into a single image.

"it reads," Twilight Began. "Let only those who enter with true Harmony and Love in their hearts through these hollowed doors. and may you leave with a better understanding and spread it to others." Twilight couldn't help but smile.

Nyx came closer feeling even warmer. "why am I allowed and not him?" She said pointing to Nightquill. "I did.... bad things. why am I allowed to pass?"

Twilight smiled and trotted to her. "Because despite the wrong you did, you fought to make it right, your a good pony.... And your a child again. children are considered to be purest of heart."

Nyx smiled but looked back at Nightquill.

"It's fine. I'll set up a fire here and stand guard. I did some bad things trying to please my father...." He looked up at the doors and smiled. "Besides. this is your quest, not mine. I'm just along for the ride."

Nyx and Twilight looked to each other and nodded, galloping up to the door and began to push it open. they felt the door slowly swing open, inside blue fire magically lights the torch pots lighting up the tower's corridors. inside it was as though no time has passed since it was built. the floors were shiny and reflective marble with large pillers made of polished emerald. as they moved further inside the fires kept lighting up the interior, as though the service ponies of old were lighting them once more. the corridor led them to a large circular room, on the walls layed six stone Coffins. each one the the lids were covered with the armor of each pony that wore them. their weapons layed to the foot of the coffin.

"The knight's of harmony.... this is where they were layed to rest.... enchanting the armor cut their life spans short, the battle with Queen Ryugu, it must have killed a few of them." Twilight said as she looked them over. but she saw one coffin that was not covered with it's owner's armor. in fact it was empty.

"Twilight, look..." Nyx said as she turned her attention to a single room ahead.

Twilight looked down the hall, it was another corridor but a short one. as they went down it they saw a seventh coffin, this one was not like the others, it was decorated with care and love, and respect. flowers were layed upon it, usually this would be normal. but these flowers were fresh and from the field at the foot of the mountain. somepony planted them here.

"it's his coffin...." Twilight mused as she layed a hoof on it. it was as though whatever magic that the coffin held reacted to her. but not aggressively. Twilight Gasped and smiled. "he knows my Element, don't you?"

The coffin merely responded as it did when she touched it. the energy was gentle, warm, but strong and powerful. Twilight could only smile as she looked around. "We need your help again. Ryugu's trying to get free or already is. she's eating Equestria's life force somehow. but we need to stop her. Please. we need your armor."

As though the spirit of the Crusader whispered in her ear, the fire torches came alive, illuminating another hall. lights came alive, created by magical light gems, Twilight and Nyx made their way to the neighboring chamber, and on display was the armor, beautifully crafted, it shared similar designs from the Knights of harmony armor, but was more decorated with Purple, Pink, Blue, Orange, and Red gems, each one the shape the Elements of Harmony used to have carved on them before they became the necklaces and crown they manifested into.

"theres five, wheres the sixth? UGH Not this again! don't tell me we have to find the sword!" Twilight groaned, having a bad case of Deja Vu back to when she had to fight Nightmare Moon to get the sixth Element to appear, unfortunately now her friends weren't there to help her manifest it. but even so, these weren't the Elements of Harmony.

"Why don't you try putting it on? maybe the sword only appears to the wearer?" Nyx chimed in.

It was a fair possibility, perhaps once the armor was activated the sword will be summoned from it's hidden location. Twilight trotted up to the armor and took the helmet, she then noticed the gems at closer inspection. it had two different gems. each of the boots and gauntlets had one of the same gem. like whatever enchantment that exist was for that one set, but the Helmet had two different ones, Orange and Red.

"hmm. Applejack's was Orange, Rainbow Dash's element was Red..... so that means this helmet is enchanted with Honesty and Loyalty.... or Honor and Loyalty as it was called back then." she said removing her own armor and setting it gingerly on the floor.

Twilight then took the helmet and slid it on her head. she heard the sound of metal sliding against metal as an armored sheath slid along the length of her horn. the helmet had to account for unicorns as it was made for all three races. she let the helmet rest a moment before going for the gauntlets.

"Pink. it's Fluttershy's. Kindness. or Mercy as it was." She said as she slid the gauntlets on her front hooves. she then took the boots. "the gems are purple, Generosity." Twilight smiled as she thought of her friends, as though they were with her. perhaps the Knights were ancestors? though it seemed a bit of a stretch.

Nyx trotted up and helped Twilight in the Cuirass, the gem on it was the biggest and was made of blue sapphire. Panting Twilight struck a pose as though ready for the armor to activate any moment.

"And finally, Laughter, or as back then, JOY!" Twilight announced as she stood there.

waiting....

"uhm...." Nyx muttered as she poked the armor. "did it work?"

Twilight looked at herself and felt nothing. if anything the armor felt over sized for her, Heavy and if anything uncomfortable. the Crusader was a stallion, but good grief how big was he!? she shifted in the armor trying to get it to come on.

"uhm. maybe there's a incantation you need to say?" Nyx suggested.

"But what?" Twilight said.

at that moment the armor began to glow, but twilight didn't like the feeling as it immediately fell off her. the Armor rejected Twilight. Twilight got up from the floor and watched as the armor reassembled in a glowing aura before setting itself back on the pedistol.

"Wh-what?" Twilight shook her head. "No! Please! I don't understand! what did I do wrong, please! tell me!" Twilight began to think back. what did she do? Punch the priest at Hollow shades? though if that was the case the gauntlets of Mercy would have slid off right then and there. and besides the wearer didn't need to represent every one of the virtues of Harmony. the creators who made it knew it had to be worn by somepony when a crisis called upon it. and the Crisis was dire. Ryugu was returning and they needed that armor! so who, if not her was meant to wear the armor!?

As this ran through Twilight's mine like a cat chasing a mouse, Nyx had took her own armor off, as she tried the gauntlets on, they were far to big for her, she was the size of an average filly but the boots were huge.

"Wow whoever the Crusader was, he drank his milk." Nyx snickered as she waved the gauntlet around.

it was then however the gems on the gauntlet glowed. Nyx gasped as the rest of the armor came alive and began to put itself on her. Nyx squirmed, caught off guard by the boots, other gauntlet and now the cuirass now fitting itself on her. she also felt herself begin to grow, not unlike when the Children of Nightmare used magic from Everfree Forest to make her grow to a full grown adult. The helmet slowly slid down her head, the face plate closing around her face as her horn slid through the horn's armored sheath, the gems amplifying her magic one hundred fold. the gems all glowing feeding their magic as they made Little Nyx grow, unlike before however the Magic wasn't cold, angry and hatred. it was warm, loving, and inviting, Nyx relaxed, this felt good, the power the armor was giving her wasn't trying to warp or corrupt her, it wanted to aid her. she felt the aspect of each virtue begin to enter her soul.

"Twilight!" Nyx called out.

Twilight turned around, during her muttering thinking she turned away, taking her eyes off the armor, but when she turned back she was greeted to a glowing aura around the now fully grown Nyx. the Armor has turned to Silver with a bluish hue, but if only to compliment her coat, her wings were adorn with long blades that doubled her wing span. Nyx's face was covered in the closed helmet but the eye holes glowed turquoise. the gems now had a warm glow as they seethed with pure magic.

Twilight took a step back to take the imagine in, last time she saw Nyx this big was when she was turned to Nightmare Moon, but now she was fully grown once again. then she remembered what Luna said.

"Yes, all magical items have affect abilities. from what my sister and I learned the effects are cosmetic, but drastic." Luna said in Twilight's Memory.

"Nyx? are you okay?" Twilight asked slowly circling the now fully grown Alicorn.

"Yeah, I'm fine mom, I feel more powerful though. and big." Nyx said. one thing the armor didn't do was alter her voice, aside from some magical reverb and echo.

"are you sure?" Twilight asked. the armor has made Nyx grow but it also contorted to her body. it complimented her and at the same time made her look beautiful.

"I do feel warmth. it's nothing at all like that night when the Children of the Night changed me to nightmare Moon. it's like other ponies are beside me. I feel like I know them. I----" Nyx paused and gasp. Twilight couldn't see them but she could.

Before her were the Knights of Harmony, only five of them however, each one bowing to her their respective weapon in one hoof pointed down their blades to the floor, in salute and respect as they turned their heads, on the far side of the room the wall slid down. and there in the crossed forelegs of the missing Knight, was the sword of Wisdom.

"Nyx, what do you see?" Twilight asked.

"I see the Knights. the armor was enchanted with a fraction of their souls if I recall the story, it seems they are also part of the armor. they are telling me they will assist me when possible. they are summoning the sword to me now." Nyx said as she started to trot to it.

Twilight watched, she had expected it to be her to wear the armor. but somehow, it felt right, Nyx should wear it. her special Talent was Protecting her loved ones.... maybe the armor knew it? the Knights! it was them. they rejected her, not out of some ill feelings towards her, she just didn't need it, she was the Element of Magic. she didn't just represent that virtue, she was its incarnate.

"Can they talk?" Twilight asked, wondering if communication was possible.

"they can." Nyx said as she trotted up to the sword, seeing the knights nod. "they don't speak to me directly but I can feel what they're saying. it's an odd feeling."

"Ask them why I was rejected. I'm not upset. I am curious. and why you?" Twilight asked.

Nyx was silent for a moment before she turned, the eye slits of the helmet glowed white.

"It was not that you were unworthy." it was now another voice. not nyx, but the voice was kind and honest. it was gruff however. "but you lacked the requirement that was needed for the armor to accept you, Experience. we've seen you grow Twilight Sparkle. our spirits may reside in this armor now, but we had to watch the outside world as well. you fought many battles, true. but some, you need to rely on yourself, and draw on the lessons you learned from your friends."

"I, Thought I have." Twilight said as her ears wilted.

Another voice, feminine came from the Armor. "Don't sell yourself short young one. you've only begun a new journey. you will hone these skills in time. until then keep your bow level, and your Arrow straight. draw upon others for the strength you need to draw back the string. let their lessons better your aim, and release."

Twilight smiled at this, true it was weird hearing these words come from Nyx's mouth in different voices. but they made since.

Another voice came from the armor. a male with a soft Scottish accent. "Please excuse us, we've little time if Ryugu is to be stopped. we shall return control to the little one now."

Nyx shook her head and looked at the sword. "ugh that was the weirdest sensation I ever had. I hope you got your answer. I honestly didn't get any of that."

"I think I did. My mistake was relying too much on the element I have, when I should be learning and drawing on the magic of the others to support and strengthen that Element. I think that's what they're saying."

Nyx smiled and nodded. "they're saying you got it."

Nyx's horn glowed she felt the sword be released from the Knight's arms. as she held it up, the years of dirt and rust has tried to overtake it, but as she struck the blade on the pedistol the armor once stood upon, the rust and dirt began to break and fly free of the steel blade. soon the metal of the sword glistened and shun in the light. the blade was Silver, near it's base was a section that held the sixth and final gem, shaped as a six pointed star. the magical energies began to seethe from the blade. it's color then changed to silver with blue hilt and purple handle.

"Oh, it's beautiful." Twilight said, before noticing movement behind her.

The Knight in the wall slowly began to move, pulling out a sword from his back and slowly began to advance on Nyx.

"BEHIND YOU!" Twilight shouted.

Nyx quickly turned seeing the ancient Knight armor begin to raise his blade at her. she quickly moved the sword to Parry, causing the two blades to meet, the clash of metal against magical metal caused the impact of the swords to flash, and as the Knight advanced his attack each strike caused another flash. The Knight proceeded to attack ferociously, slashing and bucking at Nyx.

Twilight however put her armor back on, pulled her Shortsword from it's sheath and charged at the Knight. But before she could land a hit the Knight quickly swatted her aside with a buck and sent her flying, slamming into the wall, Twilight moaned and began to get up. she wished she had put her armor back on, the kick hurt. With a white glow of his horn a magical row of bars formed in front of her.

"HEY! LET ME OUT!" Twilight cried as she bucked at the magical bars.

"I'll get you out, Mom!" Nyx said as she began to advance her attack she combined her sword fighting with the use of her wing blades.

The Knight began to loose his ground, unable to block every blade that came at him Nyx shoved him back and blasted him with a bolt from her horn. she stepped up to him holding the tip of the sword to the Knight's chest.

"Do you yield?" Nyx asked. the Sword's tip pressing against the armored chest of the Knight that assaulted her and her mother.

The Knight looked up and stepped back, dropping to one knee as his armor began to magically restore itself, and not just on the outside. as he removed his helmet, what was once dried up bones has regrown to flesh, skin, fur and hair. he took a breath and bowed, lowering his sword to the ground holding it vertical with his hoof.

"I Yield, M'lady. or should I say, Crusader." The Knight said, he was a unicorn, with blue eyes, Light purple coat, and long dark blue mane. his voice was deep, firm but almost fragile.

"Good, now release my mother." Nyx ordered.

"As you wish." Broadsword's horn glowed as the magic bars disappeared around twilight. "I hope you accept my sincere apologies, Miss. but I was testing to be sure the sword was in the right hooves of a pony who was honorable." He looked up to Nyx and bowed. "I am proud to know you passed that test."

"Who are you?" Twilight asked, the bars have dispelled, she trotted up beside Nyx.

"I am Sir Broadsword of the Knights of harmony order." Broadsword said. "I am ready to be of service M'lady."

"You may rise. how you survived for so long while the others haven't." Nyx said as she sheathed the sword.

Broadsword got up and sheathed his sword, he looked around noting the spirits of his Comrades, Twilight took it to mean only Broadsword and Any pony wearing the Armor, in this case, Nyx could see them.

"After the battle with Queen Ryugu" he began. "my brothers and I brought the Armor here, after his Death." Broadsword looked to the next room with the first crusader's Coffin. the way he looked at the coffin was less of loosing a comrade and more like loosing someone very close to them. "however with all of us gravely injured, and with death lingering, we've decided to put all our remaining energies in one Knight, it was decided that I would stand guard, Protecting the sword as the others let their souls explore Equestria. searching for the next Pony to wear the armor of the Crusader."

"Wait!" Twilight interrupted. "I got to know. was the whole ordeal of the book opening by itself because of you and the Knight's sending me a message?"

Broadsword nodded. "Yes. there was less time then we were expecting. we had to get you both here somehow. although I don't think striking the fair unicorn was the correct method." His glare seemed to focus on a lone corner. the spirit residing there was one of the earth pony mares who shrugged and looked sheepish.

Nyx looked to twilight, as though thinking the same question. "but why me?"

Broadsword looked beside himself and smiled. "We watched you, from the moment of your creation. how you grew, how you learned." he said as he looked to another empty space in the room. his smile weakening. "Even when you were lost in anger and hatred. I wondered why my brothers still kept interest in you after that." his smile then returned. "but then you rose from your errors. raising the sun like that."

Broadsword's smile grew more. "it must have been hard to find out the cheers wasn't for you. but you kept the sun up. and then it was the act of sacrifice we saw you did. you, choosing to sacrifice yourself to save not just a town of helpless ponies. protecting your friends, your loved ones. You restored your Honor!"

"Y-You all saw that?" Nyx said looking around the room, only she could see the armored ponies nod their heads, even their helmets couldn't hide the smiles they contained.

"We know the ponies who distrust, or even still hate you today. but even then. when you saved the workers on that train, the Conductor's son was under the spell that forced him to serve you. he had wanted to do harm to you should he meet you. but in saving his life, he got to know the real you." One of the spirits said.

"and it was you who showed concern for the ponies petrified in the ice. and it was your generous heart to give what little food you had to the princesses to help them recover." a new spirit, again feminine but her voice was more mature, at the same time she was very elegant with a slight Celtic accent.

"and finally, while any other would show anger at the ponies of Hollow Shades for treating you the way they did, you instead chose not to. you listened, learning from one of their own why they felt that way. you understood that in the end, it was their since of community and love for one another that brought out the good in them. even if they hated you for what you were, you knew they shared some kindness to each other." a soft spoken male voice said.

Twilight couldn't help but smile. "I'm so proud of you Nyx. though i still think those ponies were jerks."

"Oh, they were very rude. no arguement from that and by no means does their good aspects make up the fact they attacked you." the second feminine Celtic voice returned.

"forgive me for interrupting my brothers, but we must now begin our hard work. Ryugu somehow is getting herself free, I can feel the spell that locked her in the pocket dimension weakening." the gruff voice said.

Broadsword nodded his horn glowing as she cast a spell from his horn to the ceiling, outside Nightquill watched as a beam of light fired from the dome, clearing and churning the clouds before bouncing over to Canterlot then Ponyville, the ice began to thaw and ponies returned their color and shook themselves free, looking around in confusion and muttering to others. back in Saddle Tor Broadsword stopped the spell and panted.

"I freed those i could. but Equestria has grown a lot in the many decades we waited." Broadsword panted as he sat down.

Twilight smiled. "what towns did you target?"

Broadsword panted and looked up. he was aging. the spell greatly weakened him. but he soon began to recover. "I freed the Capitol and the small town south of it. from what I understand the princesses can assist you, and these Elements of harmony might be a good weapon against this monster as well."

Nyx put a hoof on his shoulder and nodded. "thank you Knight. But please rest. you've exerted yourself too greatly and too quickly."

Twilight was beginning to notice a slight change in Nyx's behavior, but this could be the mix of six other souls that are in the armor. and in many ways they're not a bad influence. still it's not something she liked happening all at once.

"Uhm, Gentlemen, and ladies. i was hoping to ask. will this change in size, and personality in Nyx be... permanent?" Twilight asked. she had to voice her concerns.

"Your correct to voice your concerns." the first female voice spoke.

"but rest assured. the little one is not being altered in any way. we placed safeguards in the armor to prevent such a possibility." the soft male voice said.

Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. "oh thank you."

"if she wishes to remove the armor she may just remove the helmet, she'll return to her original size, the armor will shrink to her size until the helmet is put back on." the Gruff male voice stated.

Nyx reached her hooves to the helmet and pulled it off, and in an instant she returned to her filly size. the armor is now her size, though the wing blades have disappeared, and the sword has turned to to a small dagger twin to the one Luna enchanted the Hunting Knife into.

"whoah. that's a funny feeling." Nyx said as she looked at the helmet.

Broadsword slowly got back up fully rejuvenated and looking young again.

"I am ready to travel with you, now M'lady." Broadsword said as he bowed to Nyx, now it looked kind of silly, as she was filly size again. but that didn't seem to phase him one bit. to him, he saw his new leader. the new Crusader he must Guard and share wisdom with whenever she needs it. As it was his sworn duty to serve the Crusader, no matter if the new crusader was a Stallion, Mare, Unicorn, Earth pony, or even in this case, a Black Alicorn Filly.

Nyx giggled and looked up to Twilight, beaming with a bright smile. "where to now?"