"So...was that the Crystal Empire we just passed?" Daring Do asked Rainbow Dash

"Yep. Maybe once we're done here, and when I have time, I can bring you here. After all, Cadence is Twilight's sister-in-law." Rainbow Dash said. "And Shining Armor is her brother." She added.

"You have a lot of connections. At some point, you have GOT to to introduce me to everyone." Daring Do said, smiling.

"Yeah well...be careful when we go to the dragons; some of them are still pony haters." Rainbow Dash said.

"Duly noted." Daring Do said just as they finally reached the station at the Frozen North. "Welp, time for my disguise." Daring Do said.

"No need." A female guard with a broken horn said.

"Tempest? Didn't know you were attached to this detail." Rainbow Dash said.

"You think I'd let a bunch of rookies do this detail without an experienced soldier flanking them? You misjudge me, Rainbow Dash." Tempest Shadow said.

"So your Captain Tempest Shadow. A pleasure to meet you, Captain." Daring Do said, doing a salute.

"No need for the salute Miss Daring Do; right now you technically outrank me as you are a guest of honor. And considering how many artifacts that could've been used for evil purposes have either been destroyed or put into museums because of your adventures, then you've done enough to put you on the same level as Rainbow Dash." Tempest Shadow Said.

"Still...you said there's no need for my disguise. Why?" Daring Do asked.

"All the other passangers on this train got off at the Crystal Empire. This station in the Frozen North doesn't get a lot of people riding to it. It's mostly used as a checkpoint to restock our train's coal. Though considering the crisis..." Tempest Shadow said.

"But what about the station conductor?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"He moved post to the Crystal Empire; there's no one here but the two of you, me, and these rookies." Tempest shadow said.

"Huh...how about that. Thank havens." Daring Do said, breathing a sigh of relief as she and Rainbow Dash exited.

"We'll be keeping the train running, and thankfully there's enough coal stocked here to last us a few days." Tempest Shadow said, exiting after the duo.

"This part is expansive...the treasure could be hidden anywhere..." Daring Do said.

"Not really. I think I have a good idea for a lead: Let's check the area where Celestia and Luna banished Sombra." Rainbow Dash said. But before the duo could go anywhere, suddenly a dark shadow appeared. "SOMBRA?! BUT HOW?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"That accursed fool? No. That is not I." The Shadow soon rematerilized into another guardian entity; this one resembling more of a windigo but very pink. "I am the only reformed Windigo of my kind; they call me Radiance." The guardian said.

"So your another guardian? Shouldn't you be protecting the Sacred Treasure?" Daring Do said.

"I am. I created this vast wasteland to deter those unworthy to find the treasure away from here. But, fear not, you are worthy. After all, once it was revealed the Chant was stolen; and the rest of us guardians will be having much conversation with Ahuizotl after this; we knew we had to take precautions immediately." Radiance said.

"So wait...your actually a good windigo...but you created this frozen wasteland?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"That's correct. Don't worry, I did so with the best of intentions. Now follow me and stick close to me." Radiance said.

"I don't trust you...but I have no choice for now." Rainbow Dash said.

"Let my actions gain me your trust and not my words." Radiance said. "Hmm..." She said as she lead the duo. "Ah...the bond between you two is very warming to my heart. You two have a very close friendship." Radiance said, smiling as she lead the duo further.

"Don't you Windigos hate friendship?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I used to, but then, this nice stallion showed me the good in ponies. The power of the crystal heart reformed me, and i have been living off of light and love since. I even sometimes visit the Crystal Empire now that it's restored to bask in it's warmth and comfort." Radiance said.

"Does this stallion have a name?" Daring Do said.

"He does, but he was different before he suddenly became the monster that he became known as. Sombra was once a very nice and very gentle colt. Why, just about every mare loved him. But then, one day, Princess Amore; who Sombra was very much in love with; broke off their relationship. That is what caused Sombra to snap the way he did. Tis a shame; Sombra used to be so nice, and then he became so evil." Radiance said. "Turning Pirncess Amore into a statue and then scattering her pieces to the wind was just the tip of the iceburg for the monster he became. I decided right then and there when he snapped that he was no longer the same Sombra that had shown me the good in pony kind." Radiance explained.

"Why are you telling us this?' Rainbow Dash asked.

"Because, you two are very nice ponies, and one of you has encountered the monster Sombra became. I just wanted to let you know that you should not believe everything your told at face value." Radiance Said before suddenly stopping and then using magic to uncover a very hidden temple. "We are here. Inside this temple is the treasure that you seek: The Base of the World. Unfortunately, unlike where the chant was kept, we guardians are unable to enter these temples. It was a precaution, in case a guardian ever turned evil." Radiance said.

"Your alright Radiance. Maybe once this is all over, we can get together for a more social visit." Rainbow Dash said, smiling.

"I'd love that." Radiance said before the adventurous duo entered the temple. "...And I wish you both luck in your feelings. I sense something that you both wish to tell one another, but are scarred to say as much to the other. But do not dwell on what could've been. I do. I wish I had reached out before Princess Amore did to Sombra. Maybe then Sombra wouldn't have become the monster he did. But I did not, and the rest is history. So don't make the same mistake I did." Radiance said, the duo not hearing them as they were too far away to do so.