//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6: Back to the Empire 
// Story: Land of the Lustrous: Battle for the Crystal Empire 
// by Kyetta Cubid 
//------------------------------//

After freeing one of the Princesses, Luna, they now not are worried about Sombra taking the Crystal Heart, but from what he was planning, he wasn't playing anything fair to them or the Schoolhouse.

Spinel, Shining, Luna, Kongo and another Gemstone was looking at the map of the Empire Luna created using her Magic. It was weak, but they saw how big it was. The Gemstone with them was a Yellow one with a Bob Cut. "So as you all see, Sombra has taken plenty of the Empire for himself, and now that we have Gemstones on our side, he won't let them get anywhere close to the Empire." Shining confirmed to everyone. "And from how many Forces he has and we have, we might not get far. Yes, I've been under his control for a while, but thanks to the Gemstones, I was freed from it." Luna told them all, which they already know about. "Well, yeah. We did it last night!" Spinel reminded her, which earned a small laugh from the Yellow Gemstone.

"Apologies to the Gemstones Elder. Yellow Diamond here tries to make everything more happier for us all." Kongo said about them. "Sorry, but I was thinking about what Spinel reminded you about." Yellow said as they looked at the Magic Map. "Yes, we may have some of Sombra's defences taken, but with that, that makes his army more lesser and some of the Spire somewhat open. If we could find a way to get into the Empire, we may find a way to either Place the Crystal Heart back where it came from, or we can find some information about his next move." They strategized to everyone, as Spinel and Shining thought that could work.

"But, like I said before, if Sombra's forces see's even a Single Gemstone, he'll have them shattered into dust!" Shining told them all, as to Kongo then turned away and thought. "You do have a point there. If only they can't be recognised!" That idea then gave Spinel an idea. "That's it! Bort! Morganite! Neptunite! I have a Plan! Head out to where we saved the Guards!" Spinel then ended up rushing out the plan, as Shining was confused.

Around the field, the Armor the Solders were in was discarded around it, which were also freed from Sombra's curse. Spinel, Bort, Morganite and another Black Gem, their hair being in Long Pigtails and a Straight Cut Bang going to their Right, Neptunite, was looking at the Armor. "And your Sure this won't get us Shattered Spinel? I don't think anyone of us would be quick to get all the Pieces!" Neptunite replied to Spinel. "Don't threat, Neptunite! He doesn't even recognise his own Solders inside his own Armor!" "Spinel!" Shining then came over to them all, seeing what they were doing. "What's going on? Why did you just walk out the meeting?" Spinel then showed him one of the Helmets. "That? That's the Helmet of Sombra's Army. Once it goes on your Head, you'll be under his control!" He told Spinel, as he then saw Morganite deciding to play around with a Helmet on their Head, which then made Bort punch them in the Face. "I'm ok!" "Your thinking if you all disguise yourselves as one of his Solders, you might get in?" Spinel gave him a nod and a Smile.

"And why am I part of this?" Phos said as they came in with the Crystal Heart. "Well, you were the one who Stole the heart, so you'll be the one to be returning it!" Morganite reminded them, as they then pouted at them. "I didn't plan for them to return it, but if it'll help save the Empire quicker, then they have to come! But we don't have any Armor to fit them." Spinel then thought of what else to do to get Phos inside.

Once they were all in Armor, they headed to the Kingdom. Shining was also in the Armor, but he wasn't under Sombra's control. Bort had to have their Hair in a large Ponytail and Spinel was carrying Phos inside a Duffle Bag. "Geez! Not the comfiest mode of Transportation I've ever been in!" Phos complained as Morganite hit it. "Shut it! You'll get us caught!" "Enough! Both of you! We're getting close to some!" They walked passed some Brainwashed Ponies as they made to the Empire's Spire, which gave Shining some Deja Vu, when he returned to see everyone under Sombra's control. "I-I shouldn't of come back! I should of stayed behind with Cadence!" Shining thought to himself, as the Gemstones looked at him, feeling his pain. "We lost everything after that day. But once he is Dethroned, we'll get everything back!" Neptunite replied to him, trying to bring his Spirits us from their Sharp Tongue.

Spinel then saw one Solder showing two others a Wanted Poster of them, as they also heard them talking. "If you see this Gemstone, capture them! King Sombra would like to talk to them!" "Poor Gem. Wonder what our King wants with them?" Once that talk was over, Spinel was concern what he wanted to talk to them about. Just then, they felt a tap behind their Soulder, making them turn around, finding the same Guard. "What are you Five doing here?" "Just scouting the perimeter? To make sure no Rebels got in?" Morganite said, trying to sound persuasive, as Bort then butted in. "What do you need us to do?" The Guard looked at them all, thinking they might of forgot. "You four, load up the cargo and weaponry! You, our King wants to see!" Spinel didn't think Sombra wanted to talk to him, but about what? Shining and the other Gemstones then looked down, as Spinel then gave Phos to Bort. "Make sure Phos is safe. That Heart included!" "I'll try my best." Bort replied. "Really? But we'll be thurther away from the Spire and Spinel just gets VIP?" "Shut it!"

Once they all were divided, Spinel went to the Spire's Throne room, where it was all covered in Black Crystals from the outside and everywhere else. "Some decor they have. These Crystals must be his Favourite?" "So my guard was fooled enough to not know it's you!" Just then, they were faced by a Black Unicorn with a Red tipped Horn, and Green eyes with Red pupils looking down at them. "Where are my manors? I am..." "No! I know who you are. King Sombra, former King of the Crystal Empire and our Problem!" Sombra then chuckled to himself, as he then snapped his fingers, making the Armor around Spinel disintergrate. Before they could turn Ming into his Shield and bring out his Weaponry, Sombra put his hand up, stopping them. "No no, I don't want to fight, I just want to talk." "Talk about what?" Spinel was then confused, as Sombra then smiled. "Come with me." He asked, as Spinel agreeded, as he did turn Ming into his Shield and brought out his Weapon, not talking the risk.

Meanwhile outside, Shining and the others were doing their job, but were making sure they didn't get caught. Their job was to watch over the Cargo. Morganite was interested in what the Cargo was, wanting to open a crate, only to be stopped by Bort. "I don't think that's smart, Morganite." "What? I wanted to see what it is." Morganite opened it and they all looked inside, finding it to be Pickaxes, Swords and Shields. They know about the Swords and Shields, but the Pickaxes the Gemstones were then worried. "Pickaxes?" "We have to warn Spinel and the others."

Back with Spinel, they were then brought into a Weaponry, where they saw two other Alicorns, one large white and another Purple. The White ones Mane was flowing Pink, Blue and Purple, with some Green and the Purple was Purple with Magenta Highlights in them. "Knights! I'll like you to meet our Guest!" Spinel was then concerned about them being Celsetia and Twilight. "And as your guessing, they were 'Princesses' Celestia and Twilight Sparkle, two of my Loyal Knights! You would of met my Assassin, Luna, who you already have!" "I'm Knight Sparkle!" "And I am Knight Celestia! We're Loyal Solders to King Sombra!" Both then announced their names. "Hail Sombra!" "Yeah yeah, I know all that! Why do you want to talk to me about?" Spinel asked, as Sombra then showed them a Gemstone looking like Bort, but their hair was sharp, pointy and Jagged. "I tool inspiration to your Gemstone friends, but it was all for my plan!"

Spinel looked at the Bort looking Gemstone in horror. "Is that... a Bort?" "A Bort? Yes, but not the Bort you and the others know. This one is an Indestructible, Unstoppable KILLING MACHINE!" The Gemstone then goes a little violent and shakes the cage it was in. "Want to see something interesting? Watch this." He then summoned a Training Dummy next to the Gem, who then brought out a Pickaxe unlike Spinel's, which they then used it to tear apart the Training Dummy, much to Spinel's Horror. They then dropped it, destroyed and all. "But, here's the grander part. I have an Army of them!" Spinel then saw many other Gemstones, some looking the same as the others. They backed away from what they looking at.

"Once I release them all through out Equestria, no army will be able to stop them, but if the town even tried, Their Town will be wiped out!" Spinel was then scared, as the Gemstone then back away. "Something on your mind?" "W-Well, I was thinking about what your plan was to do about us, but I might of seen plenty already!" They then rushed out the room and out the Palace. Before Celestia and Twilight could go after them, Sombra stopped them. "You better bring that one back in one piece! The others are also in the Empire!" Both then rushed after them.

Back with Shining and the others, they didn't know what to do about the Weaponry, but to horde it back to the School. "Man! Whoever thought working in another job would be this hard!" Morganite complained, streaching. "I thought you all don't get tired?" "Morganite does come out lazy!" Phos complained. Bort and Neptunite didn't know why they were complaining about now, only for Spinel to return. "Spinel? Why are you out of your Armor?" "Not the time! We have to get out of here, NOW!" Spinel then ordered as they all got into the Carriage. Once inside, Shining then used his Magic to make it move.

"Spinel, what's going on?" Bort asked them, as Spinel then told them. "Ok, Sombra knew we were in the Empire, but he didn't harm me for some reason, but showed me what he was planning!" They were all concerned. "What was his plan?" "He's making his Own Gemstones to release around Equestria! An Unstoppable Army!" The Gems were now concerned, but that got more worried as they heard another Carriage outside, which was a chariot with Twilight and Celestia riding it. "Halt Spinel!" Celestia threatened as Shining looked at his sister. "Twilight..." "Come at us! We're not scared of you!" Neptunite threatened as they brought out a Black Katana. Phos got out of the bag, carrying the Crystal Heart with them. "The Heart! Stop them!" Just then, Celestia and Twilight used their Magic to levitate their Carriage above the ground, but then released it, making Phos drop the Heart towards Twilight. The Bump also made them fall off the ground, smashing and destroying the Carriage.

Back at the school, everyone was watching what was going on by Luna's Magic, a little horrified of what Celestia and Twilight did, but Kongo was still acting calm. "Why are you being calm after what just happened?" "My Gemstones are more resilient than you think, my dear Luna." Luna was confused as they kept watching what was going on.

Just as Twilight and Celestia thought they had victory, Spinel, Bort, Neptunite and Morganite were using some wood from the Carriage as Snowboards while Shining and Phos were using the front of the Carriage as a Sled. "Wha-Oh why do I always get uncontrollable Stuff?!" They ranted. "Don't give up! We have to get that heart back!" Spinel then ordered, as they then chased aster two former Princesses.

Twilight and Celestia then saw the Gemstones Snowboarding after them. "Why don't they give up already?" Celestia growled as the Gemstones brought out their weapons, ready to attack. "I don't know what's wrong with you two, but we'll get to the bottom of it even if we have to Knock his control out of you two!" Neptunite ranted. Both them and Morganite then were ready to fight, as Celestia and Twilight used Magic Blasts on them, only to be blocked. Spinel, Bort, Shining and Phos were doing another thing, which was getting back the Crystal Heart from them. "We need to get that heart back! Otherwise, we'll never get back home!" Spinel was then this serious on taking back the Crystal Heart, which they were also doing.

Just then, Celestia noticed Phos and Shining coming after them, as she then used her Magic on them. "Just to think you'll get the Heart!" She said as she made some Magic Blasts and fired them at Phos, who ducked after seeing them coming. "Ha! You missed!" "Magic never misses!" The Magic blast then came back after them, which Shining tried to deflect. Celestia then had an idea, which she then used her Magic to raise up some snow, turning it into a Ramp. Spinel and Bort jumped over it, as Phos and Shining just ended up flying somewhere else. "Don't worry! We'll meet up back at the School!" Shining yelled as him and Phos ended up flying.

Morganite and Neptunite tried their best to get close to their Chariot, only for Morganite to end up going somewhere else. "Dang it! See you somewhere else!" they said, which just left Spinel, Bort and Neptunite to go after the Heart. Spinel and Bort made it close to the Chariot, which made Celestia mad. "Why don't you all give up!" Just before Celestia could charge up her Magic, Bort used their Whip to lash around her waist and drag her off the Chariot, only to end up swinging her into a Tree.

Back at the Crystal Empire, Sombra felt a little chill after Bort took care of Celestia. "Anything wrong Darling?" Cadence asked. "Not too sure. I felt like... I was throwned into a Tree?"

The Swing also took Bort off course, which only left both Spinel and Neptunite alone with Twilight. "It's just you and me now." Spinel confirmed to Neptunite, as they gave a quicker chase to Twilight. "Sombra gave you an offer to live! And I'll bring you and the Heart back, even if your in Pieces!" Twilight gave a threat, as Spinel then jumped onto the Chariot, facing off against her. However, both their Weight made the Chariot go quicker making Neptunite come far behind. Spinel was ready to face Twilight in a battle, only for Twilight to grip her head, as she was trying to fight something. "Y-You! Take the Heart!" She then gave Spinel the Crystal Heart, as Spinel saw in her eyes she was trying to Fight Sombra's Control. "I know your stronger than him! Fight it!" Just then, she was back under his Control, ready to attack Spinel. Neptunite caught up, as Spinel then jumped onto Neptunite's Snowboard, as the Chariot was ending up falling off a Cliff. Twilight got off in time, as she was flying and looking down at them, as she then flew back to the Empire.

Back at the School, Spinel and Neptunite returned, having the Crystal Heart back in their side. "You got it back? How?" Shining was then confused on how Spinel got it back, as Spinel explained something. "I don't think Sombra's Magic is all that powerful! I think that Twilight Sparkle has more will power in her to fight it. That's how I got it back." You?" Neptunite spoke out behind Spinel. "Ok, We got it back!" Shining was glad to hear his Sister was trying to fight back against Sombra, even as she knows Spinel is an Ally to them, but also to her. "So, how are we suppose to get that thing back in the Empire now?" Morganite asked, as everyone looked down. "What? I'm just interested?" "You ruin everything!" Phos complained to them.