Twilight had sprung the news on us that for a test she had been given by Princess Celestia, we were going to the Crystal Empire. The train tracks had just recently been refurbished, but the ride was more bumpy than usual.
"Crystal Empire..." I muttered, "Crystal Empire... I've heard of that somewhere..."
"Hey, I just thought of something funny!" said Pinkie, "Crystal is going to the Crystal Empire!"
We all sighed at the bad joke, but Pinkie burst into laughter. Twilight was rather nervous, but seemed much more calm compared to when we had been going to Canterlot for her brother's wedding.
"Northern Equestria, Frozen Tundra!" called the conductor.
We got up and went to the door, which was a bit difficult to open due to the harsh winds.
"Ha!" said Rarity as we cautiously exited into the coldness, "And you all made fun of me for packing so many scarves!"
"I didn't say a word!" said Spike, who was holding several bags that Rarity had brought.
"Twilight!" called an approaching figure in the snow.
"Shining Armor?" called back Twilight, squinting in the wind.
"Twily! You made it!" said Shining, giving Twilight a hug, "We'd better get moving. There are things out here we really don't want to run into after dark."
"W-what kind of things?" asked Fluttershy
"Let's just say the Empire... isn't the only thing that's returned."
We started walking through the seemingly-endless snow, following Shining. At one point, I had to change into pegasus forme to stay warmer, as pegasi are more adapted to cold weather because they live in the sky.
"Something keeps trying to get in!" yelled Shining over the winds, "We think it's the unicorn king who originally cursed the place!"
"But Princess Celestia said I was being sent here to find a way to protect the Empire!" yelled back Twilight, "If King Sombra can't get in, then it must already be protected!"
There was a nearby howl, and we all looked around nervously.
"Th-That's one of the things, isn't it?" asked Fluttershy.
"We have to get to the Crystal Empire!" said Shining, "Now!"
There was a growl, and a huge shadowy figure came up behind us. We all immediately took off running as fast as possible towards a blue light in the distance.
"Go, go!" cried Twilight as the shadow came closer.
"Almost there!" said Shining Armour, turning around towards the shadow, "Hurry!"
The blue light was a huge barrier, and unlike the pink one that had been around Canterlot, this one drew me in. we burst through the barrier, and I felt a wave of pure love wash over me and fill into my collecting crystal.
"Everypony okay?" asked Twilight, gasping for her breath.
"We're good!" I said, switching back to Changeling forme.
Shining Armour suddenly ran up behind us, and fell down. His horn was covered in black crystals, and seemed to be nullifying her magic.
"Oh, no!" said Twilight, running over to him, "Shining Armor, your horn!"
"I'm fine." he said, getting up.
"Sparkleriffic!" said Pinkie as we faced the Crystal Empire.
We all stared at the crystals that were glistening in the blue light of the surrounding barrier. Everything - and I mean everything - was made of (or looked like) crystals. The houses, the grass, and the giant castle standing in the center of everything. We walked through the crystal streets to the crystal castle, but we didn't see any ponies on our way there.
"It's gorgeous!" cried Rarity as we walked under the castle and towards the door, "Absolutely gorgeous! There are no words!"
"Focus, Rarity," said Applejack, "We're here to help Twilight, not admire the scenery."
"Eh," said Rainbow, "I don't see what the big deal is. Just looks like another old castle to me."
"Ah, uh, wha-?" stammered Rarity "Another old-! Have you lost your mind? Look at the magni-"
Applejack and Rainbow both laughed,to which Rarity gave a small smile.
"Very funny." she said.
We walked up a large staircase (well, Rainbow and I flew) until we finally made it to the throne room. Princess Cadence was sitting on the throne, her horn glowing blue, and looking exhausted.
"Cadance!" said Twilight happily, running up to her.
"Twilight!" said Cadence, running up to Twilight
"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake!" sang the two of them, "Clap your hooves and do a little shake!"
Princess Cadence's magic flickered, which caused the outside barrier to flicker.
"One of these days we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance." she said.
"Are you okay?" asked Twilight.
"Cadance has been able to use her magic to spread love and light," said Shining, "That seems to be what is protecting it. But she hasn't slept, barely eats. I want to help her, but my protection spell has been countered by King Sombra."
"It's alright Shining Armor," said Princess Cadence, taking a deep breath, "I'm fine."
"She's not fine. She can't go on like this forever, and if her magic were to fade... Well, you saw what's out there waiting for that to happen."
"That's why we're here." said Twilight.
We all nodded in unison.
"Well," said Shining, "With Cadance putting all her strength into keeping her spell going, and me trying to keep an eye on signs of trouble in the arctic, we haven't been able to gather much information from the Crystal Ponies."
"Crystal Ponies?!?" asked Rarity in complete excitement, "There are Crystal Ponies?!?" we all stared at her, "Um, ahem. Please continue."
"But we have to believe one of them knows how we can protect the Empire without having to use Cadance's magic."
"A research paper!" cried Twilight in excitement.
"Huh?"
"That must be part of my test, to gather information from the Crystal Ponies and deliver it to you! This is gonna be great! I love research papers!"
"Yeah, who doesn't?" asked Rainbow sarcastically.
"Oh-oh-oh!" cried Pinkie, "Lemme guess! Is it Spike? No no, Fluttershy! Crystal?"
"Don't worry, big brother," said Twilight, "I am really good at this sort of thing. Come on, girls, let's go talk with the Crystal Ponies!"
"Uh, Twilight?" I asked, "Can I stay with Princess Cadence?"
"How come?"
"Well, she's using her magic to spread love, right? I have plenty of love stored in my crystal that I can share."
"You can do what?"
"I can use the love in my crystal to help Princess Cadence with her spell since it spreads love."
Twilight glanced towards Princess Cadence, who nodded as her horn flickered again.
"Okay then," said Twilight, "Crystal, you stay here with Shining and Cadence to make sure that her spell doesn't fade, and the rest of us will go talk with the Crystal Ponies!"
We all nodded, and the others quickly ran outside. Shining looked at me nervously, and Princess Cadence smiled.
"It's very kind of you to share your love with me." she said.
"It's thanks to you that it's so full." I said.
"Cadence, are you sure?" asked Shining.
"Shining, you can go back to looking in the arctic," said Princess Cadence, "Crystal will make sure my spell holds strong."
I nodded with determination, and Shining nodded back nervously. He then walked out of the throne room, and headed down the large staircase. I pulled my crystal out of my mane, and went back to my Changeling forme.
"Your crystal is very lovely," said Princess Cadence, "Where did you get it?"
"Queen Chrysalis gave it to me before she kicked me out of the Hive," I said, "I still don't know why she gave it to me, though."
"Do you know where she got it?"
"I don't know, but I know that it's very rare and from a far-away kingdom. At least, that's what she told me."
"It stores love?"
"Yes, and if it runs out it turns black and doesn't work anymore."
"Well, then don't let it turn black just because you're helping me."
"No promises."
I held my crystal in my magic, and concentrated. The crystal began glowing red, and my magic switched to red. I let out a slow flow of magic that swirled around Princess Cadence before vanishing. Princess Cadence's magic took on a slight purple tint, before changing back to blue. She looked at bit less tired, and smiled at me.
"Thank you, Crystal." she said.
"It's no problem." I said.
Later, Twilight dashed into the throne room with Spike next to her, holding a book. I had just given Princess Cadence some more love from my crystal, but she still looked exhausted.
"We found something that can help!" said Twilight eagerly, "Spike, the book, please."
Spike went in front of Twilight, opened up the book he was holding, and held it up for Twilight.
"A 'Crystal Faire'!" said Twilight, "According to this book, it was established by their first queen and became their most important tradition. The Faire was held every year to 'renew the spirit of love and unity in the empire so they could protect it from harm'. The others and I could put it together. Everything we need to know is in the book!"
"That sounds pretty promising," I said, "I can't keep Princess Cadence supplied forever."
"We're get started right away!" said Twilight, "C'mon, Spike, we've got a Crystal Faire to put together!"
Spike closed the book, and he and Twilight ran out of the throne room.
"You guys can do it!" I called.
"Thanks, Crystal!" called back Twilight.
I looked at Princess Cadence nervously, before giving her more love from my crystal. It normally would be glowing a bright red, but instead it was just colored red. I ignored it; it was more important to keep everypony safe. Twilight came back in later, with Pinkie following her in a jester costume. Pinkie also had some sort of instrument that resembled a horn.
"The Faire is all set!" she said happily, "All that's needed is to invite everypony to it so we can renew their spirits! Cadence, do you think you can announce it?"
Cadence's horn flickered again, and I looked at her with concern.
"I can probably walk out on to the balcony so the Crystal Ponies can see me, but that's all," she said, "Crystal, why don't you announce that the Faire is set?"
"Sure thing!" I said confidently, "Just gimme a sec..." I changed to Earth pony forme and tucked my crystal away in my mane, "All set!"
We walked out on to the balcony, and Twilight went downstairs and outside. Pinkie blew an abysmal note on her horn, but it caught everypony's attention.
"Hear ye, hear-" I started before Pinkie blew another note.
"My bad!" said Pinkie, laughing nervously.
"Ahem," I said, turning back towards the balcony, "Hear ye, hear ye! Princess Cadance does cordially invite you to attend the Crystal Faire! There's plenty of food, drinks, crafts, games, entertainment, and more!"
There was a lot of chattering below as the Crystal Ponies walked to the Faire. I smiled, and Pinkie returned it before dashing outside. Princess Cadence smiled, but she gritted her teeth as her horn flickered, again. I led her inside, changed back to Changeling forme, and then gave her more love from my crystal.
"Come on, girls..." I muttered, "Lift those Crystal Ponies' spirits!"
I constantly kept walking out on to the balcony to see if everything was okay, before going back to Princess Cadence. At one point, Rainbow flew into the air, grabbed a flag, and then flew under the castle. Soon after, Twilight came running into the throne room, holding the book in her magic.
"We have a problem!" she said nervously.
"What is it?" I asked.
"It's the Crystal Heart we set up! The book said that it was always at the Faire, but I didn't know it was an actual relic! And the book didn't mention anything about the Crystal Ponies powering the Heart!" she quickly flipped through the book, "Oh no... There was a page missing... How did I not notice?!"
"It's alright, Twilight." said Princess Cadence, just before fainting.
"Oh no!" I cried the magic on her horn flickered away, and the barrier broke away.
Twilight and I dashed out on to the balcony and saw something shadowy moving near the entrance.
"King Sombra!" I said, before dashing back towards Princess Cadence.
I quickly gave her a large amount of love from my crystal, which was now dark red. It wasn't too close to black yet, so I didn't worry. She got up shakily, and her horn lit up again. The barrier came back up, and the shadowy figure vanished out of sight.
"I hope Shining Armour is okay..." said Twilight nervously.
"He's fine," I said reassuringly, "But right now we need to find the Crystal Heart!"
"I'll find it!" said Twilight, "That must be how I pass Celestia's test!"
"I'll help!"
"No, you need to stay with Cadence and make sure her spell remains."
"You're right, but you need to hurry Twilight!"
"On it!" she said, dashing out of the throne room.
I looked at Princess Cadence nervously, as she wasn't looking good.
"Crystal..." she said, sounding exhausted, "We should stay on the balcony so you can watch for King Sombra..."
"Got it." I said, helping her to walk over to the balcony.
The barrier flickered again, so I gave Princess Cadence as much love from my crystal as possible without letting it turn completely black.
"Come on Twilight..."
I heard somepony run up the stairs, and heard Twilight talking with Spike.
She must be looking for the Crystal Heart in the castle. I thought, I guess it makes sense that King Sombra hid it where nopony would go.
Princess Cadence's horn flickered again, and I started to give her more love.
"Don't empty out your crystal," said Princess Cadence, "Twilight will find the Crystal Heart, soon."
"I hope you're right," I said as the barrier flickered again, and several of the crystals near the edge of the Empire became dark colored, "Because she needs to hurry!"
Many ponies were crowding under the castle, so I knew that must have been where the Crystal Heart that Twilight made was. Suddenly, the Crystal Ponies all gasped, and I realized that they had found that the Heart wasn't real. Princess Cadence's horn flickered again, before fainting, and her magic faded away, and the barrier broke down.
"Oh no!" I cried as the shadowy figure came close, changing crystals everywhere dark and spiked.
My friends quickly dashed up on to the balcony, looked very nervous.
"King Sombra's here!" I said, pointing at him.
They all gasped, and the dark crystals spread more as the Crystal Ponies panicked.
"My crystal slavessss..." said King Sombra ominously.
"Hey, guys!" called Spike from high above, "Whoa! Hey! Up here!"
"Spike?" asked Rarity, looking up.
"I got the Crystal Heart!"
"No!" yelled King Sombra angrily, a huge, dark crystal spike forming under him, "That is mine!"
I finally saw Spike, just as he tripped and dropped the Crystal Heart.
"Spikey-wikey!" cried Rarity.
I looked at Princess Cadence, who couldn't even get up.
"Guys, gets Princess Cadence up!" I yelled, switching to pegasus forme, "I'll get the Heart!"
"Crystal, wait!" yelled Applejack as I flew towards the Heart.
I pumped my wings as fast as possible, when an idea popped into my head,
Pegasi fly faster than Changelings, but I need to use my magic to stop Sombra! Okay, this is going to use the rest of the love in my crystal, but I need to get the Heart!
I quickly lit up my horn, and switched to a forme I had never taken: alicorn forme. I heard my friends gasp, but I was concentrating on getting to the Heart. Just as the Heart came in front of Sombra, I flew in front of it and threw up a shield with my love magic.
"Huh?" asked Sombra.
I caught the Heart and Spike on my back, and quickly gave him the Heart with my magic.
"Get the Heart to Princess Cadence!" I yelled, before throwing Spike towards the balcony with my magic.
"What do you think you're doing?" yelled Sombra.
I didn't respond, as I was using all my energy to hold him in place. The others had gotten Princess Cadence up, who had then flew up to grab Spike and the Crystal Heart. She landed on the ground, crushing the fake Heart, and holding up the real one.
"Behold! The Crystal Princess!" cried one of the Crystal Ponies.
"The Crystal Heart has returned," said Princess Cadence very seriously, Use the light and love within you to ensure that King Sombra does not."
She put the Heart in place underneath the castle, and the Crystal Ponies began bowing down.
"What?" asked Sombra, looking down, "No!"
My magic holding him back finally faded away, and I faded back to Changeling forme. I was barely staying airborne, and grinned at Sombra as the Heart began to glow.
"Noooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" cried Sombra as the Heart let out a magic wave of love and light.
My crystal filled up almost instantly from the magic, and I could finally stay airborne without worrying. I looked at myself and realized that I had taken on a crystaly glow or something, and a quick glance at my friends confirmed that it had happened to them, as well.
But where's Twilight?
I flew up to the top of the castle where Spike had been, and saw Twilight looking down from the top spire.
"Twilight!" I said happily flying up to her.
"Crystal!" she said happily.
"Looks like you and Spike found the Heart, huh?"
"Spike brought down." she said.
"Well, I'm glad you're okay. Want a lift down?"
Twilight smiled, and I brought her back down to the balcony, where we all shared a group hug. Shining Armour eventually returned, his horn no longer covered in the black crystals from Sombra. The "crystallyness" faded away as we left the Empire, but Twilight seemed very nervous about something else.
"It's just a test!" said Shining to Twilight, "Maybe she'll let you retake it."
"I don't think she's going to give me a new test..." said Twilight.
We boarded the train, and headed back towards Canterlot. Everypony except for Twilight was smiling and chatting happily.
"Crystal, I didn't know you could turn into an alicorn!" said Rainbow at one point, "It's so awesome!"
"Eh, I guess it is," I said, "I prefer flying and using magic as a Changeling."
"But then why did you turn into an alicorn?" asked Rarity.
"I get a power boost, but it really takes a toll on how much love is in my crystal. It would be empty right now if it hadn't been refilled by the Heart."
"It was still super duper amazing!" said Pinkie.
When we got back to Canterlot, Twilight went to the castle to talk with Princess Celestia. We waited nervously for her to return, but Spike was the most nervous. Soon, Twilight came back out and declared that she had passed. We all cheered happily for her, and returned to Ponyville.
Adventures happen every day for us. I thought, looking out the window as we approached home.