Chapter 9 Equestria Part 5

(Kate POV)

The doctors told me she would be fine, that she just needed some rest and was lucky the blade didn't pierce any organs. I should be relaxed, right?

"Any luck?" Sapphire asked.

"Not really, she's been asleep," I said.

"Okay, Rosemunde told me to tell you that you could stay here while she recovers, I need to head back to the hive to bring the treaty back to my mom," Sapphire said, "And to ask for permission to leave the hive to travel with you."

"But why?" I asked.

"Because I want to travel more than anything, but with the possibility of Celestia still being possessed, I could be killed without my mother knowing," Sapphire said, "I think this would be the best way for my mother to know I'm safe, and so I wouldn't lose Attewater."

"Why is Attewater important?" I asked.

"Because he's my birthfather," Sapphire said, "besides, I'm the Water Crown Heir, I know that Arika will succeed my mother and she knows of my tendency to travel away from the hive from time to time. I want her to know where I'm going this time."

"Okay then," I said, "just don't get hurt okay?"

"I'll do my best," Sapphire said leaving.

(Rayna POV)

I was in this dream; I was with Luna and a grey unicorn with red eyes and short black mane and tail.

"I'm glad you have found us," the Unicorn said.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"My name is Sombra, former tyrant of the Crystal Empire as Celestia would say," he said.

"Why are you here?" I asked them.

"To train you to help you perfect the power I gave you," Luna said, "Crystallized Nightmare and the Shards of Light."

"I'm confused now, so when your horn touched where my heart is, you gave me power?" I asked, "But why?"

"Because you looked like you could use it to its fullest potential," Luna said.

"You're really going to help me?" I asked.

"Of course, for now it will be the Shards of Light, but in later dreams, Sombra and I will have you work on Crystallized Nightmare."

"You should know that with Crystallized Nightmare, you also can use Pegasus as well when you leave Equestria," Sombra said, "for now, we will focus on the Shards as Luna said."

That dream I learned of the pouch that was now on the sash around my waist, how endless amounts of shards could be contained in their own smaller pouches that resembled the world they originated from. For now, the only shard in there was Discord's Shard. They taught me the mantra, I require assistance from thee as well as how when I summoned assistance from another world, it would all pass for them in a blink of an eye no matter how long they were assisting me.

"Good luck on your journey Rayna," Sombra said as Luna nodded agreeing.

(Normal POV)

When Rayna had awoken both Sapphire and Kate were enthusiastic when she did. By accident, Rayna summoned her keyblade which had changed to a different form as well. This time a longer and more spear-like, crystallized keyblade that had golden yellow shaft with a crystals that resembled a tiara for the teeth. The handle was protected by a magenta guard that resembled a six-pointed star with a gilded chain the held the keychain, a sliver representation of a solar eclipse. On the outer edge of the horseshoe teeth were six gemstones each one a color of the rainbow.

"The Equestrian Key," Rosemunde said walking in, "I'm surprised to see it again."

Rosemunde lead the way to the innermost tunnels underneath her castle that seemed to travel away from the castle itself. Rayna began to sense the changelings of the Airavata Hive above them. Once she sensed the keyhole again, it revealed itself and Rayna sent a beam of light from her keyblade, sealing it.

"We'll be traveling back to Ponyville now," Rayna told Rosemunde as they headed back to the surface.

"Will you be fine? I could have a Pegasus Chariot escort you," Rosemunde suggested.

"Would we causing any trouble?" Kate asked.

"No however, after hearing Sapphire saying she wanted to join you two ponies, I would think it would be the best option." Rosemunde, "After the message I've heard about Celestia falling ill back at the Canterlot Palace, she's actually finally back to her old self again. I'll explain it all to her when she makes a full recovery."

"What was with that black crystal on her wing though?" Rayna asked.

"Possibly one of the forces of darkness finding a way to corrupt someone like Celestia," Rosemunde said, "Any other questions?"

"Did you know the keyhole was located under the Airavata Hive?" Rayna asked.

"Yes, why else was I entrusted with the keyhole's location," Rosemunde said, "apart from me, the current Queen of the Airavata and now you know of its location."

A chariot ride later, the trio was standing in front of Skylight Era. Sapphire was fine at least as they boarded, finding Oswald, asleep.

"Why is there a bunny there?" Sapphire asked.

"It's Oswald, WAKE UP!" Rayna said, and he did.

"What took you so long, I was hoping it would only be for a day," Oswald said.

"He talks, but how?" Sapphire asked.

"Okay what is with this pony? She shouldn't be here," Oswald said.

"Hold on! Okay Sapphire, meet Oswald, he's our guide on our journey at the moment, he's a bit temperamental every once and a while. Oswald meet Sapphire Airavata, a changeling/pony hybrid, her mother granted her permission for her accompaniment on this journey," Rayna said.

"Oh, well why didn't you say so," Oswald said, "Sapphire, it will be an honor for you to travel the worlds with us and learn of the balance between light and darkness. We should go now; we have other worlds to go to."

"Okay, but the pleasure's mine, so which world are we going next?" Sapphire asked.

"The Walled City," Oswald said, "it was an interesting one that I was looking at. It technically doesn't have a heartless threat yet, but it does have a threat."

"Okay, can we go then?" Kate asked.

"Sure," Oswald said.

(Rayna POV)

Just as we left Equestria, Oswald was back to being an anthropomorphic rabbit and Kate and I were back to being human again. Sapphire was surprised and interested about her human form. Her skin was slightly tanned with the exception of the pale circles where the holes on her hooves and legs as pony form were. She still had her eyes as how they were, sapphire irises and powder blue sclera which were less noticeable now and her hair was similar to her mane, both color and style. But what had completely interested me was that she still had her translucent wings.

She was wearing a black jacket over a navy blue t-shirt as well as a black miniskirt with grey tights that were slightly ripped underneath the skirt and a pale blue shawl that draped over her shoulders and it was enough to hide her wings. A pin that resembled her cutie mark was on the shawl, above her heart.

"I don't understand why I kept my wings" Sapphire said as she made them disappear as well as evening out the tan.

"I don't know," I said, "maybe to remind you of your home world."