Kung-Fu Equestria 2

The Crystal Empire

Twilight could feel Applejack's eyes on them, even as they left the Celestial Palace behind and began to race through Ponyville. The villagers cheered their heroes on as they ran.

Urtica raced out from the crowd - still in her pony form - and easily took pace alongside Tai Lung. "So, what's happening?" she asked. "Who're we fighting?"

"Lord Sombra, Urtica," Tai Lung replied with a grin. "We're going to send him back to the depths of Tartarus where he belongs."

With inner peace, Twilight thought to herself, trying to clear her mind. I gotta figure out inner peace. It's the only way to defeat Lord Sombra. So come on, Twilight... get peaceful...

But before her buzzing mind could even hope to clear...

"Hey, Twilight!" Spike called.

Twilight skidded to a stop as Spike ran into their path, holding several large saddlebags.

"I got your travel packs set," he said, opening one to make sure. "There's enough food to hold you guys over for a couple weeks, and some reading material in case you get bored."

"Oh!" Dash whispered, reaching into her own pack. "Did you get the...?" She paused as the others grinned at her, quickly shouldering her pack. "I mean, uh... thanks."

Spike just grinned and gave her a thumbs up to let her know he packed what she wanted. He handed Twilight's pack to her personally.

"I also packed a few paintings of our best times together," he noted, opening her pack and displaying a painting depicting a young Twilight cheering as Spike raced around with her on her shoulders.

"Spike..." Twilight whispered, pressing a hand to her mouth.

"No, it's okay," he said, setting the painting back in. "You've got a job to do... far from home..." his face began to fall. "In a strange city, with strange ponies and strange books, facing horrible danger from which you might never..."

"Spike," Smolder said, quickly snapping Spike out of his fear. "She didn't do all that training for nothing."

"Besides," Twilight replied. "If I don't save kung-fu... what am I?"

Spike's answer was instant. "You're my little sister." He hesitated when Twilight's face fell. "Right?"

Twilight winced, wishing she could say yes. And yet... she could still remember her mothers eyes. How scared they had been...

"Twi," Dash said somberly, snapping her friend out of her trance. "It's time."

Shutting her eyes, Twilight shouldered her pack, and gave Spike a final hug. "Bye," she whispered, before walking away.

Rainbow Dash watched her go with the others before grinning softly at Spike.

"Don't worry," she assured him. "She'll be back before you even miss her."

And yet, as the group left Ponyville behind, Spike sunk to his knees, barely noticing Smolder put a hand on his shoulder.

"But... I already miss her..." he mumbled.

[Line Break]

As Sombra continued work on his weapon, Twilight and her friends traveled across rocky terrain, snowy plains and barren deserts.

Both sides knew that a fight was coming. Lord Sombra wasn't going to stand by and wait for them, and neither was Equestria. And yet... inner peace eluded the Celestial Warrior.

Unfortunately, sleep failed to elude her.

[Line Break]