I was working on the finishing touches of my now completely built home. Thanks to the contractors’ help and Wood Worker’s expert planning we had the house built, wired, and plumbing installed in two days. I was now out with the girls and Spike. We were picking out furniture and other various house wars and things of that nature. We are currently at a local pawn shop, Back Alley Bargains, as I don’t like the owner of the local furniture store Filthy Rich. To freaking greed for his own good but given the current pony I was speaking with, Deep Pockets wasn’t much better on prices but he was much better to make deals with according to the ponies around town.

“Here we are,” Deep chirp as he pulled out a used bed from with a dragonic themed headboard. “I can part with this piece for… hmmm… twenty-five bits,” He held out his hand with a snide smirk.

I walked over and inspected the headboard. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I snickered. “I’ll give you ten at most.”

Deep scoffed in a fake disgust. “You sir, are a swindler. This here is an antique worth a hundred bits at the minimum.”

“Not at all,” I scoffed back. “I’m a prop maker and actor stand-in. So your fake bullshit won't work on me first-off and secondly, upon my inspection of this ‘piece’,” I used air quotes. “I can tell I’m going to have to do some restoration work of my own worth at least fifteen bits alone.”

“Ah… well… You see… it’s been back here for…. A while,” He tugged at his collar.

“So, swindler, either take the 10 or leave it,” I scowled at him.

He hung his head in defeat as he shook my hand.

‘Thank you for major movie roles.’

I met the girls, Big Mac, and Spike at the front of the store and we loaded up the wagon with my new and used belongings. Nero, whose wing was now fully healed thanks to Shy’s healing magic, rode and in the cart proudly as she puffed out her chest very content in her perch atop the stack of goods. Harry the Bear was helping by pulling the cart while Big Mac and I helped to push it from behind. Ymir was walking alongside the others and listening in on their conversation. She’s become quite relaxed in nature as of late and I often found her lounging about on the clouds near the house and cottage. She never strayed too far from home and always came when I and or Shy called for her.

Anyways, we were all head back to my place. Honestly, I had mixed emotions about living in the house as I’d never head a permanent home and I wanted to keep staying at Shy’s cottage but things were getting a bit crowded over there though, with Ymir and all the other animals that had been showing up after the Timberwolf incident.

We made it to the house in no time flat. We decided it was best to split the task up between our group. Applejack, Big Mac, and I did all of the heavy liftings when it came to unloading the cart as well as the arranging of the furniture in the house. The arranging of the furniture was decided by Rarity and Shy as we supplied the muscle. Spike and Rainbow did most of the mid-teir stuff like hauling lamps and putting things together while listening to Twilight. Pinkie Pie was off being Pinkie and organizing a House Warming Party of some sort.

After we had everything either put away or arranged in its proper place we all sat back and enjoy a nine-person party. I was able to keep Pinkie from inviting the whole town, thank god, to my first fully furnished home. It took some convincing but some bribery with a few cookie recipes from Earth that I could remember but I was able to keep her satisfied with it just being our friends and some of Shy’s animal pals.

Everyone was enjoying the small party when there was a sudden green flame and a scroll popped up and land in Spikes's lap. It was tied with a red ribbon and stamped with golden wax with Celestia’s seal of the Sun.

“Wonder why Mom would send a letter this late,” Spike picked up the scroll and turned it over to see who it was addressed to. “That’s odd.”

“What is it little buddy?” Big Mac went over for a better look. “Mhm… That is odd.”

“What?” Twilight asked with a nervous tick in her eyebrow.

“It’s addressed to you, the girls, and Asta,” Spike handed to scroll to Twilight. We all gathered around her to get a look as well. Twilight untied the ribbon and unfurled the scroll. We then began to read.

Dear Elements of Harmony and Sir Asta,

I was pleased to hear from the contractors that I’d sent to help in the construction of Sir Asta’s home that they’d finished far ahead of schedule. I also assume that the home has now been fully furnished making it a fine living establishment to live in for a hero of Ponyville. As much as I would love for you to enjoy the house I’m afraid I must cut it short by having you all come to Canterlot by tomorrow morning at the earliest you can manage. It is a manner of the utmost importance and pertains to the safety of Equestria and its neighboring lands. I have many things that I must discuss with Sir Asta on various matters pertaining to his recent exploits as well as a very important lesson for you, Twilight, and you will need the help of your friends to accomplish the tasks that come with it.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

“Looks like we’re going on a road trip,” I smirked as I downed a glass of cider. “Get your rest while you can girls and I’ll see you all in the morning at the train station.”

“Yea!” They all yelled in unison as we raised our cups high in the air.

We had all gotten up extremely earlier this morning in order to catch the first train into Canterlot. I decided that I was gonna catch up on the sleep that I’d missed from this morning while the girls were… being the girls. Shy and I had gotten up earlier than usual to feed the animals and give Ymir, Nero, and the asshole, Angel Bunny, instruction on how to serve the animals in our absence since we were going to be gone for more than a day, or so we suspected.

‘Better safe than sorry. That was a line I was more than familiar with in my old line of work.’

I was starting to doze-off with Ymir tucked away under my seat. She snuck her way onto the roof off the train when no one was paying attention and made her way to her current spot via a nearby open window. Spike tagged along as he went everywhere with Twilight on these sorts of things. He was also looking forward to seeing Celestia, understandable as she was his mother. I just laid down on one of the benches and drifted off to sleep and in the next minute, I found myself face-planting on the floor as the train pulled into Canterlot station.

We all exited the train and were met with a somewhat familiar princely face of Blue.

“Good morning Elements of Harmony, Cousin Spike, and Sir Asta,” The Prince bowed and then hugged Spike. “I’ll be escorting you to the palace this morning. Asta, my Aunts would like to speak with you one on one first and then Aunt Celestia will be speaking with you, Ms. Sparkle.”

“Hey Blue, and that’s fine with me. You okay with that arrangement Twilight?” I looked to the young scholar and she nodded in agreement. “Lead the way then.”

Blue led us through Canterlot quickly but also took a little bit of time to explain some of the sites to me on our way. He and Spike both recommended I stop by a local donut shop called Joe’s. I said I take their word at it for now. I never really cared for sweets but donuts were a weakness I never grew out of from my days as a youth. I kept getting the evil-eye from a lot of the ponies along the way to the palace. I even got a few I’ll slaughter you vibes from a few of the ki’s I sensed from the guard patrols we passed along the way. I couldn’t blame them after what they heard from the Ponyville Platoon that I served with up with a silver spoon. We soon arrived at the palace where there were several platoons of heavily armored armed guards waiting for us. I looked around with a raised eyebrow and hen to the girls who were just as puzzled as I was. Even Blue was dumbstruck then a familiar female guard stepped forward towards Blueblood, his sister, Quick Stride.

“Quick, what’s going on? What’s with this extra security?” Blue asked in a shocked tone. “And where’s Cpt. Armor?”

“My orders Blue. I wanted the palace on extra alert due to him,” Quick Stride pointed at me. “I don’t care if he is a friend of yours and Prince Shining Armor is off on a special assignment. I’ve been promoted to Captain now.”

“Great,” Blue rolled his eyes.

“You are to report to the Princesses immediately with me,” again Quick Stride pointed at me trying to intimidate me again. I merely shrugged at her and nodded. This ticked her off thoroughly as I saw a twinge in her face under her helmet. “Blue will escort the rest of the group to the throne room while,” She looked at me with daggers in her eyes. “We go to a private chamber.”

Cpt. Quick Stride, as she preferred to be called, led me to an empty room devoid of anything but a set of chairs around a table with a tea set on it and a large leveled stand with a variety of cakes on it. Quick Stride directed me the nearest chair as she stood behind me. We waited for about ten minutes until the Princesses came through a door opposite the one we came through and took the seats across from me.

“Thank You for showing Sir Asta to the meeting room Cpt. Quick Stride,” Celestia smiled warmly at the Captain of the Guard. “You may now take your leave and return to your station.”

“With all due respect Princess,” Quick Stride stepped forward with a bit of fervor.”I think it would be in both of your best interest that I remain by your sides, your highnesses,” She bowed slightly.

“No, this is a private conversation to be held by me, my sister, and Sir Asta only,” Luna added with a bit of an annoyed smiled. “We are not asking but ordering you. Leave and return to your station, now.”

“Yes ma’am,” Quick Stride shuddered a bit and left quickly. I saw the crystal horn tiaras on the princesses’’ heads light up as both of them cast an individual spell. I could sense they weren’t aimed at me but rather the room itself.

“Don’t worry Sir Asta,” Celestia softly smiled as she poured some tea for herself and Luna. “They were merely soundproofing and locking spells to insure no pony overhears our conversation or barges in on us.”

“We know we couldn’t take you in a serious fight Sir Asta,” Luna picked a cake and placed it on a saucer. “But enough of the formalities. I’ve told my sister of your findings during the fight the Timberwolves and the Emperor.” She took a sip of her tea. “And we both find them to be very disturbing.”

“Yes, Timber Kings aren’t all that uncommon but for this to become an Emperor and to think that it was artificially created as a King,” with a worried look Celestia looked at me. “You should know, experiments… of this manner… even on Timberwolves, are forbidden.”

I leaned on the table and interlaced my fingers. “Look,” They both looked at each other and then to me. “I don’t care for what is and isn’t supposed to be. I just care that there was a threat to someone I cared for and people that are important to my friends.” I got up and grab a chocolate cupcake and bit into it. “And the fact that my home was severely threatened by somepony or something plays a major factor in it too.”

“What are you saying Sir Asta?” Celestia looked at me concerned.

“First off. Drop the Sir. I’m Asta. Even if I am a Magic Knight… Scratch that.” I sat back down. “Anit-Magic Knight is way more accurate. Anyway… Second, I’m saying I’ll keep watch over Ponyville as its protector. Third, know that I've given all six Elements their own Grimoires ranging from three to four leaves.”

“What about my son?” Celestia interjected with a bit of prideful tone. “He got a five-leaf like yours.”

‘Oye, here we go.’

“Five-leaf Grimoires are indeed a special case but not in the way you think, Princess” I looked at her dead in the eyes as I leaned forward placing my elbows on the table and my hands in front of my mouth interlacing my fingers together. “Within in the fifth leaf dwells a demon.”

They reeled back in shock as took a sip of my tea. “Spike explained his Greed Growth and transformation into a monster. See, Spike and I have darker sides that manifest in the form of these demons but they’re sealed off in the grimoires. On occasion, they’ll rear their ugly ass heads with promises of power, so on and so forth. Our job is simple. We just say ‘no and go the hell away’ that’s all we can do.”

“So, Spike is still having an issue with his draconic heritage,” Luna looked into her tea with a deep downcast gaze.

“We all have demons your highness,” I wiped my mouth with a napkin why’ll she looked at me worriedly. “The girls told me,” She nodded in understanding. “And, I have to say. If you got a Grimoire then you’d more than likely get a five-leaf clover as well.”

Celestia’s eyes shot open as looked at me and then to Luna in fear.

“Relax. I don’t go giving them out like Pinkie Pie does cupcakes and parties,” I finished off my tea and gingerly set the cup down. “And I definitely don’t force them on peo- ponies. Grimoires must be earned by their holders. Ultimately, I only cast the spell but whether the one I use it one work to create the books is up to the will of the mana or magic. ”

“So are you going to give us each one?” Celestia leaned forward over the table.

“Nope. Princess Luna has earned hers, but you have yet to earn yours,” I got up from my seat. “But I don’t want her to have it yet. I… don’t think you mentally ready for the kind of strain it would force upon you.”

“I understand Asta and I thank you for it and your trust,” Luna looked at the floor to her shadow.

“I trust your judgment Asta but I’m going to have to keep watch over you due to the information you just told me and for that I must apologize, but … I must keep my ponies safe from all threats. No matter how small,” She looked at me hesitantly asI’m no small threat and neither is Spike. “Now, I must also apologize for your treatment upon your… forced arrival here. Our actions were totally uncalled for. I’m sorry” The got up from their seats and both bowed.

‘Okay, they meant that. Geez, this is embracing, even with no one around.”

“Thank you for saying to my face now please stop,” I looked away and covered my face with my hand. Both sisters got up and giggled a bit. “And I do understand. It’s your duty to protect your subject from any threat. Even potential ones.”

“Shall we join the others in the throne room?” Celestia gestured to the door they came from.

“Let’s,” I agreed letting out a sigh of relief as we got up from our seats and left.

We came into the throne room and met up with everyone else.

“All done talking amongst yourselves?” Spike ran over to Celestia and the two embrace in a loving hug.

“Yes Spike,” Celestia smiled at her son. “But I must cut to the chase as you all are needed in the far north,” She got a serious tone as she then looked to her student and her friends. Celestia went over to a nearby table with a large crystal under a glass dome over it. She then lifts the glass with one hand and levitates the crystal with her magic and places in the middle of the room just before blasting it with a burst of magic causing something similar to a hologram of a crystal city surrounding a large tower to appear. “Thousands of years ago there was a kingdom called the Crystal Empire. It was a center of love until King Sombra, a unicorn who fill to darkness took over and enslaved the ponies in the Empire.”

‘I remember this from the show. I usually watched the longer episodes but I don’t how my being with everyone will change things.’

Luna stepped forward and took over the explanation. “My sister and I were able to defeat and banish Sombra to the icy depth of the Frozen North. But, not before he cast a curse on the Crystal Empire causing it to disappear from the face of the planet.”

“And now after all this time, the Empire has returned and that also means Sombra will return to try and reclaim what he once called his own.” Celestia’s eyes turned green with a black mist coming from them as she sent a blast of dark magic to the crystal. Soon black crystal started to surround Twilight. “Your test my faithful student is to protect the Empire. Return love and hope to the Crystal ponies of the Empire so that it may once more shine across Equestria.”

“But, can I really save a whole kingdom?” Twilight looked at the dark crystals surrounding.

I decided to put my two-cents in. I jumped in pulling out the Demon-Dweller Sword from my Grimoire. I gave a quick twist of my arm cutting through the crystals and placed my left hand on Twilight’s shoulder. She looked back at me and I put on a big grin.

“You won’t be alone Twilight,” I looked at the princesses who both nodded in agreement. I then turned around while placing my sword back in my Grimoire, I motioned with an empty right hand and waved to the others. “You’ve got all your friends to help along the way and, “I then pointed to myself with my them still wearing my grin. “And you’ve got me to help you to.” I then found myself surrounded by all my friends in a big group hug. “Alright, enough … can’t … breath.”

“As heartwarming and pleasant as this is,” Luna interjected. “I’m afraid time is of the essence.”

“My sister is right everypony,” Celestia said in a serious tone. “You must make haste and meet with Shining Armor and Princess Cadance in the Crystal Empire.”

“Wait?” Twilight looked to her teacher with a slight smile of happiness but also a spark of confusion. “The special mission he’s been on in the North is protecting the Crystal Empire?”

“Your brother was one of the best Captains we’ve ever had but he is,” Luna looked at Twilight with a bit of concern. “At the same time, a husband and prince since his marriage to Princess Cadance. This means he must go where she goes and as she is the distant and only relation of the original ruler of the Crystal Empire, Princess Amore, before King Sombra that we know of.”

“Which means it’s her birthright to the throne of the Crystal Empire but she’s also the only one the Crystal ponies would trust as a ruler,” I said rubbing my chin.

‘I might be more useful on the test as a physical deterrent for Sombra than if I were to help look for the Crystal Heart. I need to let Twilight and Spike do their thing while the girls do theirs too. Shining won’t trust me too much after the stunt in the hospital. I have no idea how Cadance will act either. I need to play this close to the chest.’

“I must also emphasize that it must be Twilight that helps Princess Cadance save the Empire,” Celestia said in a serious tone.

“Don’t worry Princess,” Twilight bowed to her teacher. “I won’t let you down.”

“And you’ll have us to back you up,” I patted Twilight on the back with as much confidence as I could muster. “But I think we should take our leave now as the threat you’ve just told us about seems like it might want to get its kingdom of slaves back as soon as possible.” I thumbed to the door over my right shoulder.

“Sir Asta has a point,” Luna remarked.

“Well… best we be on our way then,” I left with the others as the Princess bid us goodbye. I made sure to let Blue know we were leaving too. I told him to stop by the house next time he needed a place to stay when was in Ponyville.

We were now walking through town back to the train station. I came to a sudden stop as something shiny had caught my eye. I walked over to a window and peered in to see that the gleam that caught my attention was a pocket watch. I knew as soon as I got next to the thing that it was a Displaced’s Token and I was all too familiar with the sight of this item. Or at least its anime.

I had the girls wait for me at the train station while I went into the shop. I needed to get the token. If I may need a hand in my fight with Sombra and an extra hand that doesn't rely on magic was just what could give me an edge in it. An old bell rang above my head like in Rarity’s shop. An old earth stallion with a salt and pepper mustache wearing a black vest over a white button-down shirt with pressed black pants and shiny dress shoes showed up.

“Hello and welcome to Odds and Ends Antiques my names Knick Knack,” He took a bow and quickly returned upright. “What brings a fine young lad such as yourself into this dusty place, mmm?”

“That old red and gold pocket watch you have in the window,” I slightly turned and looked over my shoulder as I pointed at the window. “How much do you want for it?”

“That… Mmmm.” He rubbed the back of his neck cautiously. “I don’t think you have much use for a cursed watch. I have it cause a patreon brought it in without telling me,” Knick Knack scowled at the watch.

“Curse?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Everyone who has ever owned it claims to hear voices coming from it when they pick it up,” Knick went to the window and retrieved the watch and placed it on the counter in front of me. “It’s not always the same voices either, but if you want it that badly I’m more than willing to sell it to you for a discount. I’ll take five bits from you to take this cursed object out of my shop.” He eagerly pushed the watch to me.

I dropped about ten bits for his troubles and told him he saved me same time in looking for such a fine piece. He took the bits and I picked up the watch and felt a buzzing run through my head. I have to say it unnerved me a bit as the energy coming off this token felt dangerous and oddly familiar. I then heard the saying attached to the token.

I am the one who constructs and deconstructs, the partner and protector of the moon and sun, I aid the Innocent and protect the children, If you require aid, Call my name and I will come forth, The Crimson Sage

I thanked Knick Knack for the watch and headed to the train station where I met with the girls and Spike. We all payed for our tickets for the departing train to the North and got on when it was time to board. There were a lot of empty spaces due to Ponie and cold not mixing will apparently. It was going to be a long ride and seeing as how I was going to get bored easily, I decided to make everyone practice their magic seeing as we had plenty of space and privacy. Spike, Aj, and Rainbow were also insist on practicing martial arts so I obliged them to be if they thought the could handle training without their natural magics. I had Twilight use copy magic to create ankle and wrist weights for the others arms and legs which I in turn transferred some Anti-magic into them by placing them in my Grimoire for a few minutes. My time was well spent in the time it took to get to the Crystal Empire.

Next Chapter: Research and Fairs Estimated time remaining: 43 Hours, 53 Minutes