~~~~~~The Crystal Empire, That same day~~~~~~~

The morning sun glittered over the verdant lands of the Crystal Empire, setting the many crystal ponies to sparkling radiance. It bounced off their homes and their streets, and shone in their hearts. And in one of the main hallways of the Crystal Spire, it shone off the armor of the Emerald Guard. Ancient crystalline armor in every hue of green was borne on the backs of five hundred ponies strong. Attached to their armor, five hundred lances stood proudly in the air, each bearing a razor sharp shard of crystal three feet long at their ends.

Shining Armor stalked amongst them, wearing the armor of the Captain of the Royal Guard that he had come to rely upon. Though he did not show it on his face, he was proud of these ponies. It had been thousands of years since they had been called to fulfill their ancient duty, yet they were all prepared for it. A year of training, and they were already good enough to give the Royal Guard a run for their money. A lot of that had to do with the unique strength of the crystal pony race - they were highly resistant to magic. Shining Armor had hardly believed it himself, but when they took on their glittering form even trained battle unicorns found it difficult to harm them.

It was an advantage Shining Armor intended to ruthlessly exploit. I wish I had more numbers though. His mind growled. Yet he could not force training to go faster, even though every able bodied stallion and mare was being trained in combat now. He knew they'd never meet the standards of elite troops, but the day might come when that wouldn't matter. For now though, even this small army was a potent one - clad in the incredibly tough crystal armor, they were a force to be reckoned with on any field of battle.

Satisfied with his inspection, Shining Armor trotted to the head of those ponies and nodded once. "Acceptable. Which is a good thing too, we've just gotten our marching orders. We're deploying to Canterlot tonight on special assignment. Go home, stow your gear, spend some time with your families. The train leaves at Sundown. Dismissed!"

The guard marched out of the hall in good order, Shining Armor watching them sternly every step of the way until the hall was cleared. He waited a few moments, making sure none of them were going to go charging back in to ask him some question or other. When none came, he slammed the door shut and slumped against the wall rubbing at his temples. Twily, damnit. I shouldn't have left.

Duty had called both him and Cadence home though. Duties neither of them could ignore, and so they had returned to the Empire six months ago. Cadence had taken the necessity well, smoothly moving right back into her work - even as she herself spent many late nights pouring over the ancient tomes of magic contained within the empire. Shining had not, jerkily going about his day-to-day routine as he drove the training of the Emerald Guard to new heights of toughness.

Yet neither of them had wasted their time - the Guard was perhaps the toughest little unit of fighters in Equestria right now, and they brimmed with pride in that. Cadence had shared countless new useful defenses and spells that her research had turned up - and she claimed to slowly be developing a plan to help Twilight. Of course, more than anything right now Shining wanted a single night of nothing going on to spend with his wife. Not gonna happen, Shiny. Deal with the problems in front of you. His mind sternly reminded him, and Shining sighed and pushed himself off the wall.

Thirty minutes, and one refreshing hot shower later, Shiny was trotting towards the royal quarters. This was currently the scene of a small military campaign, in which Princess Cadence waged war against the forces of ‘packing for a long trip’. Maids, butlers and various other members of the household ran hither and yon, carrying, packing and then moving out what seemed like way too much stuff for a serious trip.

The Letter had come in this morning, by the strange magical means the Alicorn sisters used to communicate with one another. IT had been terse to the point of absurdity, amounting to 'Get your flanks to Canterlot right now, we have a problem and it involves Twilight.' It had even lacked the usual flowery language of a royal invitation - these were orders, straight from Celestia's hoof. Not that Shining was bothered by that, in fact - it had made him feel far calmer about all of this. Orders always had that effect on him.

Cadence also looked pretty calm as Shining entered the center of the fray. Calmly, she directed various groups of her servants to carry out this or that task, and then sent them scurrying along. All the while, she carefully reviewed several large stacks of parchment notes. Probably from all that research she's been doing. he smiled slightly, weaving through the chaos with practiced ease. Dodging a scrambling maid here, waiting for a train of boxes there, and reaching his destination with nary a scratch. "How are we doing, Cadey?" Shining asked cheerfully, nuzzling his cheek up against hers affectionately.

Cadence smiled and returned the gesture - Shining was infinitely glad for these little moments. They reminded him just how powerful their love was. And how strong it is to endure these hard times. He gently pressed against her side while she nodded absently, her wing almost reflexively wrapping around him warmly. "Pretty well. We ought to be almost done with this nonsense." Cadence waved an idle hoof at the scrambling members of her house. "We'll take lunch together, discuss a little strategy, and then you and I shall have four glorious hours of nothing going on." There was a coy, sexy tone in Cadence's voice that sent a shock of anticipation down Shiny's spine.

Shining swallowed and then grinned brightly. "I don't suppose you've got anything in mind?" He asked, feeling the heat alight deep inside of him. Even amidst all of these ponies, he had eyes only for the beautiful mare next to him. By the moon, I love her. he thought faintly, and that thought steeled his spine. This Shadow thing isn't gonna know what hit it. He thought fiercely.

Cadence tossed her mane in that fetching way that had first caught his eye all those years ago, and smiled slyly at him. "Oh, I think we can find something to do."

~~~~~~

Commander Winterlight couldn't help but gape at the bright pink pony now shaking her hoof vigorously. What on earth is she doing here? she thought with no small amount of concern. She's not supposed to be lured here for another week! Her thoughts raced for a moment as she introduced herself, and proclaimed she had an order of sweets for the Mistress... until she mentally facehoofed. Dancer and Moon. It has to be them. She was going to have words with those two. Maidens or not, there was a plan to be followed, damnit! Too fast and we're going to bring the hammer of Celestia down on all of our heads!

There was nothing for it for now though. She'd just have to adjust, and quickly. And keep her away from Rainbow Dash! We can’t risk exposure this early in the game. So she put on her best smile and brought the hoofshake to an end, shaking her head. "Welcome to Twilight Town, Miss Pie. I'm afraid you've got me at something of a loss, I hadn't realized there was going to be a delivery this morning." She paused and scanned the square - there. She nodded meaningfully to one of her lieutenants, a male thestral with good musculature. That's... Shade Hoof, right. He'll do.

She coughed and smiled her best at the... extremely enthusiastic pink earth pony. "I'm afraid I'm going to be quite busy for the next while, but I'll task a guard to escort you to Twilight Hall's grounds." The stallion dropped out of his hiding place behind one building's chimney, and was trotting across the square in quick time. "This is Shade Hoof. He'll be your escort while you're in town." The stallion gave his captain a sharp look and she grinned at him. You'll thank me later, bub. she snickered mentally.

Pinkie meanwhile had immediately had her attention diverted. "Oooo!" She proclaimed, bouncing a little. "Nice to meetcha, Shady! Lead the way! These cupcakes ain't gettin' any more sugary!" she grinned cheekily. "And you can introduce me to all the ponies in town on the way! Oh man, this is gonna require one epic Pinkie Pie party!" She squee'd brightly at Shade Hoof, who looked like he'd just been condemned to death by cuteness overload.

Within moments, he was being dragged away by Pinkie Pie to his cruel fate, while Captain Winterlight waved oh-so-cheerfully at her departing subordinate. I am so going to beat the snot out of Dancer and Moon for this. She thought, wryly. But I do have to admit, it's given me something fun to think about today. She trotted back to her otherwise boring job, and wondered just what kind of effect the pink earth pony would have on her town.

~~~~~~

Pinkie Pie couldn't be more excited. Shade hoof wasn't just someone new to talk to, he was cute too! Mm, I wonder if he likes to party. She thought saucily, giving a little flip of her bushy tail Oh silly Pinkie. Everypony loves to party! she giggled brightly as they walked down the road. Oooh! She even knew some of the ponies who lived in town!

Pinkie waved excitedly to Pony Joe, who blinked at the sight of her and her cart and laughed a little. "Hey Pinkie!" He called from his shop window, his horn lighting up "Try this!" Pinkie's eyes widened as a chocolate glazed donut came sailing out of the window towards her.

With the skill of a practiced expert, she snatched the treat out of midair with her tongue and it exploded in chocolate and marshmallow filled goodness inside of her mouth. She licked her lips vigorously and beamed at the donut-master. "You still got it, Joe!" She proclaimed "That was scrumdiddlyumptious! I'll be back later for a couple dozen!" She grinned at his smile and they exchanged another wave as she passed on by.

Shade hoof was staring at her, and she smiled coyly at him. "What? Oh you're wondering about the tongue thing." She giggled softly and nudged the thestral with her hip as they walked. "Maybe you'll find out later, Cutie. But come on! You haven't told me anyponys name! Surely you know at least someponies around here?"

Shade hoof blanked at her, then shuffled his hooves a little as they walked. Finally, he started talking in a rough sort of voice. "Well...Not really. Mostly know the others in my unit. I'm... not really all that social." He grumbled out, as though he wasn't used to talking much. So he was surprised when Pinkie nodded understandingly at him, reaching out a hoof with an inviting sort of smile. He blinked at it...and then realized what she was trying to do. It was a little awkward, but he did reach out to shake the hoof gingerly. "I'm Shade Hoof." He grumbled, trying his best to smile. He knew a lot of ponies got nervous around the fangs.

Pinkie giggled softly. "And I'm Pinkie Pie! There, y'see? It's not so hard." Just like Cranky Doodle! Gotta take things slow. She reminded herself, perkily shaking his hoof and then letting go a few moments later. "Don't worry, Shade Hoof. If there's one thing I'm a specialist at, it's how to help ponies make friends! Oh, and throwing parties too - but I think that kind of falls under the same category." He had an amused look on his face, and Pinkie winked at him cheekily. "And your first new friend is me!"

Shade Hoof blinked at her for a moment, his hooves carrying him along more out of habit than anything. "But...I'm a batpony!" he said somewhat confusedly, showing off his sharp incisors. "I mean, you're not scared or nothin?" His tone was curious, as though he couldn't quite believe that. "I didn't think any untouched liked us."

Pinkie giggled. "Silly! Of course I'm not." She smiled brightly at him. "You're just a little different! I'm different too! And so are all my other friends! I mean, if everypony was the same that'd be soooooo bor-ing!" She tossed her mane and smirked cheekily at him. "Besides, different is fun! I mean, sex would get awfully dull if you only did the same things all the time." Finally! Pinkie got the stallion to blush and look away. Hah! That one always works! She laughed internally as they passed by a set of big stone gates. "Ooo! I remember this part!" She proclaimed, bouncing a little as she walked. Shade Hoof looked relieved, and Pinkie smiled slyly at him. Uh uh. Not letting you get away that easily. She smiled in her best innocent way. "So, I'll totally see you at the party, riiiight?"

The Stallion looked at her in startlement. "P-Party? What party?" he asked lamely, and Pinkie had to grin. Aw, he's even worse than Twi was. They came to a halt next to the massive front doors of the Hall, and Pinkie tsked gently at him.

"Why, the Pinkie-Pie's-Come-To-Town party! I dunno where I'll be having it yet, but you can bet it'll be hard to miss!" She beamed at him. "Thanks for walking me here, Mister Hoof!" Hmm, Should I? Yeah he looks like he could use it. She hopped up and planted a big old kiss on his lips, getting a wide eyed and astonished look from the thestral. She smirked at him and thwapped his side with her tail. "Seeya later!"

She left the poor stallion standing there and staring after her with bright red cheeks as she rolled her cart through the front doorway. Yup! You still got it, Pinkie!

~~~~~~~

"Flexibility." Proclaimed Princess Cadence, gently tapping her hoof to the stack of parchment between herself and her husband. "That must be both our battle cry and our total mode of operation. We must be flexible in all things." The two ponies sat at a small dinner table, not unlike the one shared by Luna and Celestia back in canterlot. A steaming pot of green tea filled the air with a sweet and spicy scent, and a plate of various crystal delicacies sat nearby it. "There isn't very much information on this Shadow, but what I've managed to find suggests that it is an ever changing force." Cadence continued, sipping at her own cool cup of the sweet tea. "So, we may not be able to find one large solution, but several dozen smaller ones."

Shining Armor frowned, but nodded slowly. "Well, that makes as much sense as anything I guess. So, we plan for flexibility." That fit in to Equestrian Guard doctrine, which often had no idea as to the nature of a threat until they had to confront it. At least something is going to be familiar about this. Shining thought, his voice thoughtful. "Do we know if Twilight's been severely affected yet or not?"

Cadence shook her head. "Celestia doesn't think so, based on her letter - but she could be missing something. We'll know more once we get down there." She frowned softly. "Shining, we may need to consider a more... direct approach. Do you think you could contain Twilight in a shield she couldn't escape from?" Shining stared at Cadence in shock, and she shook her head. "I'm just asking, Shiny. I need to know if the option of simply kidnapping her out of that town is on the table. I hate the thought even more than you do, but it may be necessary to save her."

Shining fought down his revulsion at even the though of entrapping his little sister in a shield like that, to face the cold hard truth of the matter. "Yes, I could probably do it to Celestia if I had to. Though I won’t be useful for much else in the process." It was a painful thing to admit, but there it was. "But we don't pull that unless we've got no other choice, Cadence - Do you hear me on this?" Shining growled, trying very hard not to get angry with his wife.

Cadence held up her hooves, nodding. "I agree. It's going to be our plan of last resort. But I think between you, me, Celestia and Luna, we ought to be able to get her out of there. Once she's away from poisonous influences, it might be easier to cure her." She sighed softly, leaning into Shining's side and closing her eyes. "By the Sun and Moon, Shiny. I hate this. I wish we could just... Do what we did to Chrysalis and blast this shadow into the abyss!" But neither of them knew how they'd cast that spell. It had been instinctual, a reaction to the extreme threat and stress of Queen Chrysalis' attack on them. They hadn't been able to reproduce it since then, and neither of them was at all certain if they could.

Shining gently wrapped his hooves around Cadence and rested his head against hers. I've got a feeling that if our backs were truly against the wall, we could do it again. But there's other ways to fix the problem, so love is letting us figure it out the hard way. It was an amusing thought, and one that put a smile on his face. To think of love as some kind of intelligence, forcing ponies to find solutions to their own problems and only getting involved when the shit really hit the plow.

Cadence shook her head. "At any rate, I'll go over all of the other magical stuff with you when we're on the train." She lifted the stack of notes and set them neatly on a nearby shelf - along with the teapot and the platter of snacks. Shining blinked at her for a moment and she smiled coyly. "We've got exactly five hours until we have to be anywhere or do anything Shiny..." Her lips nibbled up along the stallion’s neck, making him shiver in his horseshoes. "So. However will we fill the time?"

~~~~~~~~~~~

Twilight skipped a little down the halls of her home, humming brightly to herself. Yesterday had been so much fun! And Dash was flying around in that cute little uniform, (that Twilight was looking forward to peeling off of her in strips) and Winterlight hadn't ruffled anypony's feathers all day! And there was nopony to bother her either, so she could actually sit down and get some...

She paused in midstep, her nose arching into the air. Frosting. Chocolate. Peanuts and crushed cashews. There was no mistaking it, that was the smell of a Pinkie Pie confection. She frowned a little, but then found a slow smile on her face. Winterlight must've put in an order to Sugarcube Corner. She knows how much I love those things. Her skip came back as she followed her nose towards the kitchen. Mmm, and there's something new there. Some kind of candy. The doors swung open at her touch and there she found the sleek pink cart of Sugarcube Corner parked in her kitchen - with Pinkie Pie herself unloading the sweets.

Twilight stared in amazement for a moment, before there was a sudden gasp and a rocketing pink pony took her clean off her hooves. The two of them tumbled several feet before Twilight could tell which way was up again - and that she was getting fiercely hugged by the fluffy pink party pony herself. "Twi Twi!" She proclaimed in her squeakiest voice. "Ohmygosh you look soooo cool!"

Twilight blinked, realizing for the first time that day that she hadn't dropped the power of shadow magic within her yet. And thus, her mane still pooled on and around her like some kind of thick liquid - dripping into her shadow and vanishing only to reappear in her mane "Wooow! Could you show me how to do that? I mean, Then I'd look like I had melting frosting all over me and that'd be so kinky" Pinkie wiggled atop her, giggling madly for a few moments before suddenly stopping, and smiling in that gentle and soft way she sometimes got. "You look good, Twi. Really. I confess I was a little worried about you but... You seem to be doing okay." There was a shyness in Pinkie then, a soft sort of blustery love that nopony in the world could resist, not even Twilight. Pinkie hugged her once more before rolling off - all softness and fuzziness.

Moments later, she pulled Twilight back up to her hooves in a single heave - showing off that immense earth pony strength of hers. "Oof!" Proclaimed Twilight, smiling back at last. "Thanks Pinkie. You look good too." She gave her friend a much more normal hug before eyeballing the cart. "Wow. Is that all for me?" Twilight inquired, her horn lighting gently and lifting the cover off the cart to reveal the treasure trove of goodness within. "Whoa." she whispered. The cart had been stacked with fifteen trays of a dozen cupcakes a piece - one tray for each of SugarCube Corner's famous varieties, and several large cake boxes to go along with them. It was a veritable fortune of sugary goodness.

Pinkie nodded, beaming. "Yupperonie! One Sugarcube Variety Extraviganza, special ordered just for you." She then tapped her hooves together and gave her friend a big smile. "Um, I was a very good pony and I didn't eat even one on the trip here, Twi. I don't suppose I could..." She shuffled over next to the cart, giving Twilight her best pleading look. "Have one? Or two? Maybe three?" She stuck out her lower lip - she knew she didn't have to give her this look, but it was fun to play.

Twilight laughed softly, and trotted over next to her friend, nudging her "Oh, of course you can Pinkie. Come on, I'll put us together a tray and you can tell me how the twins have been." Twilight's horn lit again as Pinkie bounced up and down in excitement. Milk from the cooler, a large copper food tray which Twilight stacked high with a variety of the cupcake bounty - and a couple of glasses for the two of them.

A minute later, and they were sitting in the library, perched on a pair of big fluffy sofas and laughing at one another's jokes. Pinkie had already devoured four of the sugary treats, and Twilight was nibbling on her third. Both of them fully agreed that the new touch of the candies was a fantastic addition, even if they tasted a bit strange. As the minutes passed, Pinkie began to notice an odd heat starting to spread out from her belly. It was a good feeling, but strange. Pinkie hadn't had anything alcoholic to drink lately, so why did it kinda feel like that?

The warmth continued to spread through her body, more and more by the moment - she tried to brush it off, to keep talking about Applejack's latest escapades with her sister. But she started to notice Twilight was shifting in her seat too, just like Pinkie Pie was. I think maybe there was something funny in those cupcakes... Pinkie started to think, wondering if maybe Twi had made a special order - or it had been a special order made for her and somepony special. More moments passed and the talk slowly petered out, the two ponies staring at each other in fascination.

Pinkie could feel her breathing coming on faster, as the heat finally spread in between her legs. Even rubbing against the soft velvet of the couch felt oh-so-yummy. She knew Twi was feeling the same, and that just wasn't something Pinkie could ignore. She gently pushed herself off her couch, the vibration of hitting the ground enough to send a lightning bolt of pleasure down her spine. She slipped onto Twilight's couch, and gently pressed her hoof to her bestest friend's cheek. "Twi.." She whispered, not really sure where this was coming from - but Pinkie liked It. So she leaned in to kiss...

Twilight's mind was reeling with sensation - like she'd just had a raging orgasm, and her whole body was still sensitive from it. Even just the touch of Pinkie's fuzzy hoof was electrifying. Self-control was all that kept Twilight from doing anything, as she felt the shadow within her hunger and growl - trying to claw its way out of Twilight's mind so it could take this all too willing pony for its own. And when pinkie's lips touched hers, it was like some kind of magic rushed through her body - setting off tiny pleasurable explosions as it went.

Self-control got tossed out the window, and Twilight gave in to her shadow again. She tore her lips away from Pinkie’s and felt a devilish smile cross her lips. “Do that again, Pinkie.” She purred, and why not, after all? It felt so good...