//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: The Shadow of Past 
// Story: Crystal Empire (Reboot) 
// by Shadow Master 
//------------------------------//

Through heavy and strong snowstorm, Shining Armor was leading Twilight Sparkle and her friends all the way to Crystal Empire.

"King Sombra and Umbreon are trying to get in!" Shining Armor exclaimed firmly and seriously, "Luckily, we have something to stop them. Crystal Empire is protected!"

Twilight Sparkle hummed, "But Princess Celestia said I was being sent here to find a way to protect the Empire! If King Sombra or King Umbreon can't get in, then it must already be protected. You found the source of Crystal Empire to protect it!"

"Not exactly," Shining Armor denied it.

"Huh? What do you mean? How can Crystal Empire be protected?" Ben asked in confusion.

HOWL! Everyone stopped at once as they heard something shocking and scary.

"I don't think I like this sound of it," Golden Heart said in concern.

Shining Armor groaned, "We have to get to the Crystal Empire! Now!"

GROWL! Twilight Sparkle and her friends turned to their back as they witnessed two giant shadowy forms of King Sombra and King Umbreon. All of them shivered and quivered in fear upon looking at them.

Fluttershy gasped, "It's them!" 

Spiked gulped fearfully, "That's not good!"

"Should really have brought the Elements of Harmony with us," Ben Valorheart remarked dryly, "Knew we would get into them sooner or later."

Rainbow Dash nodded, "Yeah..."

"Not a time to argue!" Applejack exclaimed in concern, "Run now!"

Twilight Sparkle and her friends quickly make a run. They all headed straight to a giant blue-colored dome-like.

"That must be it!" Golden Heart exclaimed in realization.

Shining Armor nodded, "Keep going! Almost there!"

Twilight Sparkle and her friends continued running while Shining Armor stood before King Sombra and King Umbreon. They both growled wildly and loudly. He quickly fired his Unicorn Burst at them. They dodged the attacks before charged straight at him. They quickly grabbed and coiled him tightly, making Shining Armor to scream in pain. At the same time, his horn slowly formed and coated with blacks crystals.

While her friends escaped into the dome, Twilight Sparkle stopped at once as she turned to her back and found King Sombra and King Umbreon attacking Shining Armor. She hissed in anger as she quickly turned back and charged at them. Both Golden Heart and Ben Valorheart spotted it.

"Twilight, come back!" Ben Valorheart exclaimed in concern.

Golden Heart nodded in concern, "You're not strong enough to fight against their Dark Magic!"

"I have to try!" Twilight Sparkle exclaimed determinedly as she continued charging at them. She jumped up high while her horn glowed brightly, "Let my brother go, you monsters!"

King Sombra and King Umbreon looked up but got their eyes blinded, "OW! My eyes! Damn it!"

Twilight Sparkle fired her Unicorn Burst at two tyrannical kings' shadows, freeing her brother from their coil. She quickly held him over her shoulder as they both make a quick run at once. As two unicorns continued running, King Sombra and King Umbreon quickly gave chase on them. Two unicorns noticed it. 

Shining Armor groaned in pain, "Twilight! Get out of here! Leave me!"

"No! I won't!" Twilight Sparkle exclaimed firmly as she turned and glared at two kings, "You want my brother! Come and get me!"

Two unicorns roared wildly as they both charged at Twilight Sparkle and her brother. The lavender unicorn fired her Unicorn Burst at them for few times. King Umbreon got knocked out by twice while King Sombra charged as he grabbed and coiled Twilight Sparkle up tightly, making her groaned and screamed in pain.

"Twiley!" Shining Armor shouted in fear.

"So, you're Princess Celestia's protege?" King Sombra chuckled in amusement while looking at Twilight Sparkle. He licked his mouth before lick on her face, "I'm actually disappointed in you. I'm expecting more resilient and resistance of you. But you would make a good slave."

Twilight Sparkle groaned in pain while glaring at King Sombra, "Expect this, demon!"

Twilight Sparkle fired her Unicorn Burst at King Sombra's eyes, causing him accidentally took a bite on the lavender unicorn's right hoof hard. She screamed in pain while her eyes glowed in greenish with purple mists. Not only that, she witnessed some vision - surprisingly gentle Sombra and his brother were talking with two mysterious mares, Princess Amore knighted Sombra as her Captain, the brothers were chatting and arguing at library, both were fighting each other at ice wasteland and finally two brothers became tyrants. 

Twilight Sparkle shook her head in snapping back to reality. She wondered of what she was looking at. She was in shock and confuse while glaring at King Sombra, who was growling and glaring back at her.

King Sombra growled, "I will destroy you, peasant!"

"Back off!"

King Sombra looked up and found Ben Valorheart used his Master Sword in firing Sword Blast at him, dropping Twilight Sparkle down. Golden Heart fired his Blind Sight Spells on King Sombra and his brother's eyes before unleashing Gold Unicorn Burst in knocking them off.

Both Golden Heart and Ben Valorheart quickly helped and brought both Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor, all the way to the dome at once. King sombra and King Umbreon were recovering from the attacks especially the headaches they have. They looked and found their enemies have escaped.

"Curse those ponies!" King Umbreon snarled in anger, "We're trapped outside now!"

King Sombra scoffed, "Nevertheless, the little princess cannot hold the shield much longer. We'll be in there soon. Very soon..."





Upon entering the dome, both Golden Heart and Ben Valorheart stopped as they dropped both Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor down. All of them including other Mane Five were panting and breathing heavily after running for their lives from King Sombra.

Ben Valorheart panted, "Next time, we're bringing the Elements of Harmony, no matter what my mom has said especially fighting with two evil unicorns."

"Dully noted," Twilight Sparkle nodded tiredly yet firmly. She turned and found Shining Armor was recovering but also noticed his horn coated with black crystals. She approached and checked on him, "Oh, no! Shining Armor, your horn! Are you alright?"

Shining Armor grunted in pain while using his magic but instead, his energy aura was blocked by crystals. He sighed in disappointment.

"Well, at least, we're safe," Shining Armor joked a bit, "Come on, we need to meet up with Cadance and Prince Strikespell."

"Huh?! Strikespell?! Did you say Strikespell?!" Ben Valorheart demanded in annoyance.

Shining Armor nodded, "Yes, what's wrong?"

Ben Valorheart grumbled, "Nothing..."

Though suspicious of her boyfriend's behavior, Twilight Sparkle decided not to bother about it as she and her friends arrived at the gate entrance to Crystal Empire city. They all chatted in amazement and surprise of what they're looking at it.

Golden Heart sighed, "So, this must be it."

Shining Armor nodded while smiling, "Welcome to Crystal Empire, everypony..."

Shining Armor led Twilight Sparkle and her friends all the way straight to Crystal Empire's Castle. As they arrived at the castle's entrance, Rarity was amazed as she remarked at Crystal Empire's appearance.

"It's gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous!" Rarity exclaimed and muttered in surprise and amazement of it, "There are no words!"

Applejack sighed in annoyance, "Focus, Rarity. We're here to help Twilight, not admire the scenery."

"Eh, I don't see what the big deal is." Rainbow Dash remarked dryly while looking at castle's appearance, "Just looks like another old castle to me."

"A– p– guh! Another old...! Have you lost your mind? Look at the magni–" Rarity exclaimed but paused upon looking at both Applejack and Rainbow Dash smirked and laughed in amusement. She sighed while shaking her head, "Very funny."

Shining Armor opened the door while leading his sister and her friends into the castle. They all climbed all the way to the throne chamber.





Upon arriving at the throne chamber, Twilight Sparkle and her friends entered it. They found Princess Cadance sitting on her seat. Her horn glowed in blue cyan like she was performing magic, though she looked very tired and exhausted. Nevertheless, she called her foalsitter's name, making her snap to reality and approached her.

Twilight Sparkle and Princess Cadance smiled as they performed their childhood dance, "Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!"

Twilight Sparkle and Princess Cadance laughed happily a bit. The princess yelped and groaned in pain as she had a headache.

"One of these days we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance." Princess Cadance joked before sighed.

"Are you okay?" Ben Valorheart asked in concern.

Shining Armor sighed as he approached and patter his wife, "Cadance has been able to use her magic to spread love and light. 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 and King Umbreon."

Princess Cadance breathed deeply, "It's alright Shining Armor, I'm fine."

"She's not fine. She can't go on like this forever, and if her magic were to fade..." Shining Armor said in concern before looking at the dome, "Well, you saw what's out there waiting for that to happen."

Golden Heart hummed in concern, "I fear the Crystal Empire's power will turned on us. They will destroy everything they see."

"That's why we're here." Twilight Sparkle said firmly.

Everyone nodded and chatted in agreement of being here to help their friends out.

"Well, 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," Shining Armor said in concern, "we haven't been able to gather much information from the Crystal Ponies."

"Crystal Ponies?! Hahaha, there are Crystal Ponies?!" Rarity asked in surprise. Everyone looked at her oddly. She cleared her throat, "Um, ahem. Please continue."

Shining Armor sighed as he continued, "But we have to believe one of them knows how we can protect the Empire without having to use Cadance's magic."

Twilight Sparkle thought carefully before gasped, "A research paper!" Everyone looked at her in surprise and odd. She continued, "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!"

Ben Valorheart chuckled in amusement, "And I thought Sunburst would be crazy enough to do some research papers for his studies."

Golden Heart cleared his throat, "Twilight, you do realize that one part of your test is to find and protect the power source of Crystal Empire."

Twilight Sparkle giggled in amusement, "I know. And the information is to find and know the power source of Crystal Empire. Once we did find it, we'll use it to protect our home." She turned to her brother and sister-in-law, "Don't worry, big brother. I am really good at this sort of thing."

Shining Armor smiled, "I'd never doubt on you, little sis..."

"By the way, cous, where's that bully jerk?" Ben Valorheart asked in annoyance.

Princess Cadance sighed, "Ben, don't be rude. He's trying to help. I don't know where he went but he said that he's gathering some information from ponies. We haven't heard of him since then."

"Hopefully, to be a long time forever! I'd never want to see that guy again!"

"Ben... We need all the help we can get. We can't do this alone..."

Ben Valorheart thought carefully before sighed in defeat, "Fine. I'm doing this for you, cousin."

Princess Cadance smiled, "Thank you, Ben..."





Twilight Sparkle and her friends split up and talked with Crystal Empire residents in finding and getting the information from them. Twilight Sparkle, Ben Valorheart, Golden Heart and Spike were talking with blue coated Crystal Pony with brilliant mulberry mane and tail while her cutie mark is a golden feather. Unfortunately, they couldn't get much of information.

"Are you sure? Absolutely sure?" Twilight Sparkle asked in concern.

"I'm sorry. I wish I could help you. But I..." Crystal Pony hissed in concern and confusion, "can't seem to remember anything before King Sombra and King Umbreon came to power." She hissed in pain before sobbed tearfully, "And I don't want to remember anything about the time he ruled over us especially... especially..."

"Wow... King Sombra's and Umbreon's spell must be why their coats aren't..." Ben Valorheart remarked uneasily, "crystally."

Spike nodded, "I feel sorry for them..."

"What is your name, young lady?" Golden Heart asked curiously.

Crystal Pony sighed, "Autumn... Autumn Gem..."

"Sorry to be bothersome, Autumn Gem," Golden Heart said calmly, "Do you happen to lose someone you loved? Do you know who it is?"

"I... I... rather not talk about it," Autumn Gem said in shame. Golden Heart remained calm as he patted her shoulder, making her looked at him. She saw his gentle eyes. It reminded her of someone. She sighed, "Sombra... He was once my beloved. He was sweet and gentle, but I don't know what turned him into monster like his brother when he fought Umbreon."

"What?!" Ben Valorheart and Spike asked in surprise.

Golden Heart nodded calmly, "I see..."

"So, you're her?!" Twilight Sparkle asked in surprise. Everyone looked at her oddly. She continued, "Ever since Sombra bit me on my hoof, I sort of have vision. She and him are sort of related or lovers. And she's telling the truth."

"Are you sure?" Ben Valorheart asked.

Twilight Sparkle sighed, "I don't know. But I have the feeling that Umbreon did something bad to Sombra. We need to help her out. We have to bring Sombra back to her."

"I don't like it. It could be a trap."

"Listen to me, Ben. Autumn Gem has been gone for thousand years and never see Sombra again. She loved and missed him so much, just like how I feel about you."

Ben Valorheart was shock and surprised by Twilight Sparkle's answer. He thought carefully before sighed in defeat while nodded in agreement. Twilight Sparkle smiled before kissed him by cheek. She turned and looked at Autumn Gem.

"Have we really been gone a thousand years?" Autumn Gem asked.

Twilight Sparkle nodded, "Yes."

"It feels like it was just yesterday. I wonder if he... If he ever comes back to good..."

"Don't worry, Autumn Gem. We'll bring him back to you. I promised," Twilight Sparkle assured Autumn Gem calmly and gently. She sighed, "If you think of anything, even the smallest thing..."

Autumn Gem nodded, "Of course."

Golden Heart smiled, "Don't worry, everything will be fine, Autumn Gem. And my little sister will help you now."

Twilight Sparkle and her friends turned and left Autumn Gem's resident. They headed off.

"Well, that was a total bust." Spike remarked dryly.

Twilight Sparkle nodded, "Maybe the others are having better luck."

"And you'd better hope you're right that Sombra is actually good," Ben Valorheart said in concern, "I still feel like this is a trap or fake to make you let your guard down."

Golden Heart rolled his eyes in amusement, "Well, it's your first time to learn and understand that not all bad guys are really bad guys."

Autumn Gem watched Twilight Sparkle and her friends continued walking down the street. She sighed in concern as she returned home. She approached the firework. She held the picture of her wearing a red scarf with a unicorn with normal horn and red eyes. She shed some tears flowing down on her cheeks. She held the picture close to her.

"Oh Sombra... My love..." Autumn Gem said in despair, "Even if darkness holds you, I know... You're still in there... I still remember you. I hope you still remember me..."

"I am certain he does..."

Autumn Gem gasped as she turned back and found a mysterious black cloak stood before her. She yelped in surprise as she fell on her back hard while crawling away from the stranger.

"W-Who are you?!" Autumn Gem asked in shock and concern.

"You remember my brother - Goldie Heart?" The stranger asked. Autumn Gem nodded fearfully. She smiled gently, "Don't worry. Trust me. If what you say is true, then you will reunite with him once more."

"H-How?!"

The stranger gave the note to Autumn Gem, "Just follow the note. Everything will be alright."

Autumn Gem took the note while looking at the stranger, "If I do, you promise me that Sombra will be alright ?"

"Yes..." The Stranger said calmly, "Once Sombra is in Golden Heart's care, he will brought to my place. And I'll make sure he's back to his good health and good self. After the event, meet my friend at the train. He'll get you there. Understand?"

"Y-Yes, I understand."

"Okie dookie lookie! I'd better go and take of some stuffs..."

The mysterious stranger exited and left the house. Autumn Gem approached the window while looking at the sun. She sighed.

"Well, I guess I just can't stand around here and do nothing. I'd better support them and hope... That everything will be alright..."





Twilight Sparkle's friends went around of Crystal Empire in asking and chatting with its residents about power source to protect Crystal Empire. Rainbow Dash interrogated and demanded Crystal Ponies to give her answers but got nothing. Fluttershy tried to ask but too shy and too soft to talk with them especially when they're very down. Pinkie Pie tried to spy on them in unusual ways. Rarity got distracted by fantasizing herself of being Crystal Pony.

Twilight Sparkle and her friends meet up at the Crystal Empire's entrance for the reports. Her friends reported that they were unable to find the answer that can help them to find and protect the power source.

Twilight Sparkle sighed, "There's gotta be something we're missing..."

"Sorry, Twilight." Applejack apologized while looking at Crystal Ponies, "These crystal ponies seem to have some kinda collective amnesia or somethin'. Only thing I was able to get out of 'em was somethin' about a library."

Twilight Sparkle gasped while holding Applejack, "A library? Well, why didn't you say so?!"

"Uh... thought I just did." Applejack said in surprise.

Ben Valorheart sighed, "Oh boy... Research time... Should have seen this coming..."





Twilight Sparkle and her friends arrived at Crystal Empire's library. They entered it as they witnessed the beautiful and organized sights of crystallized interior library designs with various and many books.

"I just... I don't even know what to..." Twilight Sparkle said in amazement and surprise. She sighed, "There are no words."

Ben Valorheart chuckled a bit, "Anyway, let's find the librarian and talk with her about Crystal Empire."

"Yes. It's a good start to do a research," Golden Heart said in agreement.

"Don't bother. The librarian is useless..."

Twilight Sparkle and her friends turned to their left and found a white unicorn with black spiky and tail with navy and light purple streaks, and his cutie mark was a golden phoenix holding a dual swords worn a blue armored with golden pattern, upper white robe-like and golden horseshoes.

"And you are?" Applejack asked suspiciously.

Ben Valorheart groaned, "Hello, Strikespell."

"Ben Girl..." Strikespell taunted dryly.

"It's Ben Valorheart now, buddy!"

"Is that so? Tired of your old name? Fed up being insulted too many times? And annoyed by everyone's amusing laughter at you?"

"That's none of your business!"

"I see. Still a coward to face me, no doubt. I'd never understand why you considered yourself to be her son, when I knew who is the true heir to her throne."

"You wanna go through that again?!" Ben Valorheart demanded in anger as he armed with his Master Sword, "I sure like to give you a piece of my mind!"

Strikespell scoffed, "I would like to see try, little king!"

Ben Valorheart was about to attack but held and stopped by Golden Heart, "Ben, we're not here to fight! We need all the help we can get to protect Crystal Empire!"

Strikespell chuckled a bit, "He's right. I'd better listen to my advisor if I were you, unless you preferred to use your reckless courage to put the lives of your friends and family at risk."

"Why I oughtta-!" Ben Valorheart grumbled in anger before sighed, "Whatever. We're gonna do what needs to be done, Strikespell. If you wanna help us, don't try screw up!"

"Same goes to you," Strikespell taunted dryly.

Twilight Sparkle sighed, "Okay, seriously, who are you?"

Pinkie Pie gasped, "Is he a head librarian?! No, he's a soldier! No, wait, I know - he's the super pony?! He has to be!"

Strikespell scoffed in amusement, "So, these are the ones? How disappointing. I was expecting more mature and stallion-type."

Rainbow Dash groaned in anger, "What's that suppose to be mean?!"

"Doesn't matter now. We have more important matters to deal with," Strikespell said dryly before narrowed his eyes, "By the way, my name is Strikespell, eldest son and heir to Azure Phoenix!"

"Azure Phoenix?! Azure Phoenix?! Azure Phoenix! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" Twilight Sparkle exclaimed in surprise and shock. 

Everyone looked at her in confusion and odd while Ben Valorheart and Golden Heart remained silent. 

Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat, "I've seen him once or twice but never meet him in pony. But I know him a lot. He's the first Phoenix Emperor of Northern Ma but known as 'Hero of Chaos' and 'Conqueror of the North'. He is very good and powerful at magic of both good and dark magic but not at Starswirl the Bearded's level. But not just magic he's good at, his tactics are very efficient and effective especially recruiting, choosing and using ponies with talents and skills on battlefield. He's one of my favorite unicorns!"

"So, you admire my father's talents and history, huh?" Strikespell remarked in surprise yet calmly, "Interesting... Perhaps, you are the one especially how you reminded me of her..."

"What? What did you say?" Twilight Sparkle asked in confusion.

Strikespell shook his head, "Never you mind. We must begin our work now. Let's find the history book behind Crystal Empire."

Twilight Sparkle and her friends nodded in agreement as they headed off. Golden Heart was about to move but blocked by Strikespell.

"I thought you know about this place," Strikespell said dryly.

Golden Heart shrugged, "I heard, but never been here. I thought you knew it."

"I was reborn in 950 A.E., not in 140's A.E.," Strikespell said dryly, "Nevertheless, we've got work to do."

Golden Heart nodded, "Agreed."

Twilight Sparkle and her friends searched through the library in finding and getting the history book. And unfortunately, they couldn't find it so far.

"Uh, anyone else startin' to think this is a lost cause?" Applejack asked in concern.

Ben Valorheart sighed as he looked at the books from the shelf, "She has the point. I asked some librarian and they couldn't point the direction or even give the answer either.

"No, no, no, no, no..." Twilight Sparkle exclaimed in concern while levitating and searching through books one-by-one. Coming across the brown book, she stopped and grabbed while exclaimed, "Yes!"

All of her friends have been gathered around at the central hall as Twilight Sparkle shown the book to her friends.

"'History of the Crystal Empire'." Twilight Sparkle exclaimed as she opened and looked through it, "I just hope it has the answers we need."

To Be Continued...

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