//------------------------------//
// Episode 1: Crystal Clear Wisdom Part 1 
// Story: EoH Evolution: Season 3 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

It was just like any other day in Unityville. Meaning that like usual, it was dealing with a monster attack. Said monsters being the mutant changelings who had still remained with Chrysalis. "You thought we'd back off just because of the invasion? Guess again!" Blade snapped as he, Stinger, and Needle were faced with the Elements of Heroism.

"Then we'll just have to swat you harder!" Dark Ice snapped as he charged at the enemies in front of him!

"Ice! Wait!" Arctic Ace called out to his brother. But his plea fell on deaf ears as Dark Ice had thrown himself into a full speed charge with no intention of stopping. leaving him vulnerable to a blast from Stinger's new tail. "And here I was thinking he'd become a smarter fighter by now."

Stinger just smirked. "You thought my stinging days were over? All I needed was an upgrade! One session in my mutation pod, and I'm better than ever! How'd you like a demonstration!?!" Stinger made to strike at Dark Ice, but his new tail was parried by Akage's blade! "What?! How can that little butter knife hold back the force of my tail?!"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Akage quipped as he got in a series of rapid strikes! "Then again, even if I told you, you'd forget. Just like you forgot how I kicked your abdomen last time."

Meanwhile, Burst was taking on Blade and Needle. The former aiming for Burst's head with his scythe while the latter tried to dive-bomb him! "You really should pick a better weapon." Burst stated as he blocked Blade's scythe and downed Needle with a charged shot from his blaster. "A weapon can look intimidating, but it means squat if it isn't functional!" Burst fired another charge shot right at Blade's face! He then switched to using both of his blasters and slotted in his spell magazines! "Allow me to demonstrate." Burst unleashed a massive blast of solar magic from one blaster, and a flurry of homing shots from the other! The resulting damage activating Blade and Stinger's emergency teleport spells! "Just another day at the office."

"Yeah." Ace said as he looked at Dark Ice. Nothing's changed at all with Ice. I thought he would've moved past this after Night Terror was destroyed. Clearly it looks like he still hasn't fully left his past behind. Shadows of his memory as Dark Mist still linger in his head.

However, Arctic Ace was snapped out of his thoughts when he noticed Twilight and Burst heading towards the train station. "I take it the princess has an urgent call for you two?"

"Yup! But it's mainly for me!" Twilight said with a nod. "Can't waste time talking! Gotta go!" Twilight then attempted to drag along Burst Stream. And with that, the leaders of the two sets of elements boarded the next train to Castalot. Their respective teams following suit and waiting around while Twilight and Burst met with Celestia. "I came as soon as I got your letter princess! So what's the emergency?"

Celestia took a deep breath. "Thank you for coming. Please have a seat." Both Twilight and Burst took a seat at the table before them. Celestia focused her magic, and the image of a grand crystal city was displayed on the map. "After one thousand years the Crystal Empire has returned."

"Let me guess. Some evil force caused it to vanish for said one thousand years, right?" Burst asked. "I'm not complaining, but I'm guessing that's part of why it's back?" Celestia's response to this was a nod.

Twilight took the chance to get her own questions about the empire's return answered. "So. . . what made it disappear in the first place?"

"King Sombra." Celestia said in a grim tone. "A Magi king whose heart was as black as night. He was a cruel king who ruled over the empire with an iron fist. Luna and I defeated him, but he placed a curse on the empire. If he should be defeated, then the empire would vanish with him."

Burst Stream nodded. "So what made him turn bad?" This earned a puzzled look from Twilight. "Luna became Nightmare Moon because of her jealousy. Discord is the Lord of Chaos, so he's just doing his thing. And Chrysalis? Well, we really know nothing about her. She's just a despicable person. So what's Sombra's story?"

"I suppose it would be wrong for me to withhold his origins." Celestia said with a sigh. "Luna and I did not stop Sombra because he attempted to take over Unity. We were informed of his actions by Radiant Hope. She and Sombra grew up together in an orphanage. But even before then, Sombra was an outcast. He is half Umbrum. A race of shadow beings who ruled the Frozen North until they were imprisoned. Hope was Sombra's only friend, and she pleaded for me and Luna to save him from what he had become. But he was already being swallowed by his own fear and hate. All because he saw a vision of what could have been and decided it was what had to be."

Burst clenched his fist. "I can understand why Radiant Hope ran away to tell you and Luna about this. But I can't help being mad at her for not trying to talk Sombra down on her own. It doesn't condone Sombra's actions either, but I can understand where he's coming from too."

"So how do our teams of elements factor into this?" Twilight asked.

Celestia stood up, and made the projection of the Crystal Empire light up with her magic! "If joy and love are reflected in the Crystal Empire, they will spread throughout all of Unity. But if darkness is present," Celestia briefly channeled dark magic, and fired it at the projection. A completely opposite image was the result. "Then fear and sadness will spread. It is vital that you make sure that joy and love are reflected during the empire's return Twilight. And you must do so alone."

Twilight's world completely froze at the mention of that last word. However, she chose not to question her mentor. "I understand princess. I won't fail!"

"I'm guessing the reason you want me and my team of friends to tag along is in case Sombra decides to put up a fight?" Burst asked. Earning a nod from Celestia. "Well, wouldn't be the first time we've held off a bad guy so Twilight could save the day." Burst sprang out of his chair, and headed to meet his team. All the while, Twilight was still troubled by Celestia's instructions.

The train ride to the Frozen North was anything but quiet. Both groups of elements were chatting about their current task. However, Arctic Ace noticed the one most troubled by this was Dark Ice. "Hey, Ice?" Ace asked his brother. "You feeling alright? Ever since you heard about this mission, you've been glaring at the ceiling."

"Yeah bro." Shadow Thunder chimed in. "Ever since you heard about how King Sombra ruled the empire and enslaved its people, you've been in brood-mode for the whole train ride."

Dark Ice shook his head. "Sorry guys. It's just, bad memories." Memories of his time with the Nightmare Forces and his run as Dark Mist played over and over in Ice's head. "Using fear to enslave all those people?" Dark Ice clenched his fist. "It keeps reminding me of that helpless feeling I had while I was Dark Mist. A whole empire has lived in that fear for a thousand years. . . "

"Ice. . . " Arctic Ace said with a sigh. "I know you're the element of courage. But you can't just throw yourself into the 'rage' portion of the word. I've seen it when you fight. You get a bit angry and reckless." Both Arctic Ace and Shadow Thunder put a hand on Dark Ice's shoulders. "We know why you get like that. But isn't that the exact same thinking that made you join the Nightmare Forces?" 

This revelation brought out a shocked expression on Dark Ice's face. The element of courage was about to apologize, but Arctic Ace raised his hand to stop them. "Shadow and I already lost our brother once Ice. We just don't want to lose you because of yourself again."

"You guys. . . " Dark Ice said quietly before group hugging his younger brothers. "Heh! I can always count on you two to try and knock some sense into me!"

Shadow Thunder smiled brightly. "That's what family's supposed to do for each other bro. Now get psyched! We've got an empire to save!" Both teams of elements couldn't help but smile a little at hearing this.

"Don't you mean it's just another Monday for us?" Akage asked with a chuckle. Prompting both teams to laugh. "I figured we could use a bit of humor to lighten the pressure." Sure enough, the train arrived at the Frozen North. But the second both teams of elements stepped outside, they were met with a blizzard howling around them! "So where's the welcoming committee?"

"Glad all of you could make it!" Shining Armor greeted. Twilight rushed to hug her brother. "Sorry to cut the sibling moment short, but we can't afford to stand around. Follow me." Shining Armor led the teams of elements towards the Crystal Empire. And as they marched forward, the blizzards seemed to worsen! "The blizzards around here tend to get worse as time goes on! We think it might be the work of the magi king who made the empire disappear!"

As if on queue, an unearthly howl ripped through the air! Black clouds gathered together, and a pair of red eyes with glowing green irises formed! Purple smoke flowing from the corners of the eyes! "WE NEED TO RUN! NOW!" Shining Armor commanded!

The Elements of Heroism whipped out their Duelist Arms! "WE'LL COVER YOU! GO!" Burst Stream cried out as he and the Elements of Heroism unleashed their Duelist Arms on King Sombra! The tyrant of the Crystal Empire roared in pain as the Duelist Arms struck him!  The Elements of Heroism were able to keep a good distance between King Sombra and the Main 6 and Shining Armor! "Keep pushing him back! We're almost in the clear!" They were almost at the gates of the Crystal Empire!

"Alright everyone! Make a break for the gates!" Steel Edge cried out! And on that suggestion, the entire team of heroes made a mad dash for the gates! However, King Sombra was not one to give up so easily! His cloud-like form shot forth! Slowly materializing into a face with a curved, red horn protruding from his head and a fanged mouth!

"I don't think so!" Dark Ice spat as he swung his claymore! Slicing off Sombra's horn! "Entrance denied!" Dark Ice flew through the gate! Landing safely on the other side! Sombra, enraged that someone had dared to strike back against him, shot forward once more! Only to be repelled by the barrier around the city! Hissing in pain! "Looks like you got the door slammed in your face!" Sombra glared down at Dark Ice. "And even if you do get in, you have to deal with me." Dark Ice boldly declared as he returned the glare. Sombra then broke off their glare match, and retreated for the time being.

Both sets of elements breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, at least we're off to an exciting start." Magnet North joked as he dusted the snow off of himself. We really owe whoever put up this barrier!"

"You can thank Cadence when you see her at the castle. Which is where we're headed." Shining Armor led the two teams of elements to the crystal castle. Cadence was on the throne, and she looked tired. 

"Cadence!" Twilight cried out in joy as she rushed over to her sister-in-law. Despite how tired the princess of love was, she still smiled and hugged Twilight. "It's so good to see you again! But you look so drained. "

Shining Armor put a hand on Cadence's shoulder. "It's because she's been channeling love through the empire ever since we've arrived here. That's why there's a barrier keeping King Sombra out. But if she does run out, I've still got the shield spell up my sleeve." He then looked towards the Elements of Heroism. "This is twice you guys have really saved my hide."

"No offense, but you're not the brightest Shining Armor." Burst Stream stated. "But then again, Twilight's the smart one of the Sparkle Siblings." The response to this was a small laugh from the group. "We're all here now, but we don't know much about this place."

Arctic Ace stepped forward. "Then I recommend that we explore the city while we can. It might help in gathering some information that could help us beat King Sombra. Twilight and I will head to the library. See if we can't dig up any information on the empire's past."

"Sounds like a plan to me Ace." Burst Stream said with a nod. "You heard him. Find out all that you can. We'll meet back up at the center of the empire in a couple hours." And with that, both teams of elements spread out. Asking for any information that could help them.

Rarity and Inferno had paired up, and the element of generosity was finding it hard to not be in awe of all the crystal architecture around her. However, one thing of note bothered her. "You know? I thought the Crystal-Sapiens would have more of a shining appearance to them. But they all look so drained and lifeless."

"Probably because they had a tyrant reigning with fear on the throne." Inferno said. "They've probably blocked away most of the memories. Probably even the happy ones too because it reminds them of what they lost so long ago." They weren't the only pair asking around. Pinkie Pie and Akage turned up nothing, and Steel Edge and Rainbow Dash's exploration hadn't produced any luck either.

Shadow Thunder and Dark Ice had decided to call an early end to their exploration. "Well that wasn't much help." Ice said with a sigh as he slumped on the ground. "No one remembers much after Sombra took over." Ice clenched his fist. "They don't even have their past. And even if they did, it's not like I can blame them for not remembering."

"Hey." Shadow Thunder said as he placed a hand on Ice's shoulder. Dropping out of the slight hover he was maintaining. "You were tricked Ice. Manipulated into joining the Nightmare Forces. They promised you the power to forget the worst day of our lives. But forgetting the event doesn't make you brave. Neither does pushing others away to deal with it alone. Ice, you snapped out of that fear when Ace's life was in danger. You pushed forward then because you were afraid. Afraid to live in a world without Ace, me, or the rest of our family. You facing that fear and making sure it never came to pass? That's what true courage is. And it's also why you have your element."

A joking smile then spread across Shadow's face. "Besides, I thought you already went through the typical angst arc when you defected. Not to mention your Dark Mist form practically screamed edgy!"

"Hah hah!" Dark Ice wrapped one of his wings around Shadow Thunder. "And here we thought Ace was the smart one of us!" A sigh of relief escaped Ice's lungs. "To be honest, I still carry the fear of losing you two or our parents in my heart. Facing it in battle's what makes me so ferocious. Just like Sombra found out earlier when I amputated his horn."

"You really did that?" A new voice said. Both Ice and Shadow looked to their right, and saw a girl hiding behind one of the supports of the center tower. The wings on her back indicating she was a Skyborn. "You really managed to hurt King Sombra?" The girl nervously inched forward, and Ice and Shadow got a better look at her. She had light peach skin and her two-tone blue hair.

"Well, yeah. I cut off his horn." Dark Ice said plainly. "But I don't see what such a big deal about that. It's not like me or my friends have beaten him yet. So who wants to know?"

The girl stepped forward. "My name is Indigo Zap. Me and my friends saw our entire people being enslaved. Our families. We thought we were saved when the princesses defeated him, but we all disappeared along with our home!" Indigo Zap started to shake at the unpleasant memories.

"Hey. . . take it easy Indigo." Dark Ice said as he stood up. He slowly walked over to Indigo Zap so he wouldn't startle her, and extended his hand. "We're here to make sure that doesn't happen to all of you again."

Indigo Zap immediately grabbed onto Dark Ice's hand. "Please. . . " She said as she began to stop shaking. "Please promise me! Promise that we won't disappear again! Promise me we'll never have to live in fear!"

Dark Ice could see the fear in the girl's eyes. "Indigo Zap, right?" He put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "I promise that you won't have to live in fear as long as I'm breathing. And even if I'm not breathing, I'll still keep on fighting." Ice then gave Indigo a kind smile. "I'm sure your friends are waiting for you." And with that, Indigo Zap flew off. Dark Ice watching with a satisfied smile on his face.

Shadow Thunder was smiling too. Albeit for a completely different reason. "Making a promise to a girl, huh?" Shadow chuckled. "Trying to land yourself a romance bro?"

"Oh come on Shadow!" Dark Ice said with a groan. "I JUST met the girl! Don't tell me you think we're couple material right off the bat!" Ice's reaction prompted a fit of laughter from Shadow. "Look. She reminds me of how I was after that storm when we were kids, alright? She's scared. All of them are." Dark Ice looked over all the people out and about. All of them looking so drained, defeated, and skittish. "More than anything else, they need to feel like everything's going to be okay."

Meanwhile, Arctic Ace and Twilight had arrived at the library. "Hi there!" Twilight said with a smile. "Do you know if there are any books here about the history and traditions of the Crystal Empire?" The librarian nodded, and brought out an old book. "Thank you." 

"Good thinking Twilight." Arctic Ace said with a smile. "Want some help reading through this? I know you love books, but this thing is pretty thick."

Twilight stiffened at Ace's offer to help. "Oh, uh, I don't think that'll be necessary! It's allllll good!" Twilight said with an exaggerated smile. "I can handle this all on my own. Don't worry! When have I blown things out of proportion?"

O-kay. All the red flags have been raised. Ace thought to himself with a neutral expression on his face. There's DEFINITELY something up with Twilight. First she was quiet on the train, and she kept glancing at her friends during the whole trip. Then she starts to distance herself from Spike. That's something we ALL know she'd never do to her surrogate little brother. And now she's refusing help from friends?

Ace sighed. I'll let you have this instance Twilight. But I'm not done with you yet. I'll be keeping an eye on you. "Alright. I'll head outside. See if the guys have turned up anything in their searches." Ace headed back to the center of the empire, and saw the group of both elements lounging around. "I take it you guys didn't find anything useful?"

"It all came up empty." Night Fang said with a sigh. "Although, the kids of the empire were pretty fascinated with my ears and tail. They seemed to literally brighten up a bit after playing with me for a bit. That was pretty odd."

Venus Bloomer scratched his chin in thought. "Actually, I think that might have something to do with their emotions." Venus looked to his friends. "Haven't you all noticed how gloomy everyone here looks? I can feel that their spirits have been suppressed by King Sombra's rule. They haven't known joy or love for a long time."

"Ooh!" Pinkie Pie chirped! "Maybe what we need to do is throw them a huuuge party!" The Element of Laughter sprang to his feet! "Take it from the element of laughter. These people haven't had any real fun in a thousand years! If we remind them what fun is, what made them happy, then they can be happy again!"

"Pinkie Pie's right." Twilight declared as she approached the group. "And I know just the kind of party we need to throw!" Twilight opened up the book she had been reading earlier, and proudly displayed the image of a fair going on. "The Crystal Faire! It's a traditional celebration of the Crystal Empire. One that's happened every year since the empire's establishment. It's the perfect thing to get the Crystal-Sapiens happy!"

"Then what're we waiting for?" Burst Stream said with a grin. "You heard Twilight! Operation: Party Time is a go! Just tell us what we need to do Twi. We'll get it done no problem!' And with that, Twilight instructed her friends on each of the events that were to be held at the Crystal Faire. With both teams of elements working on the events, the task was done in almost no time at all. "Okay. Only one thing left!"

Twilight flipped a few pages forward. Stopping on a page depicting the Crystal-Sapiens. "The key event of the fair is the Crystal-Sapiens lighting of the Crystal Heart. All we need to do is carve a heart out of crystal. This ceremony lets light and joy shine through the hearts of the people of the Crystal Empire! I'll be right back!" True to her word, Twilight returned with a crystal carving in the shape of a heart not a few minutes later. "Perfect!"

Satisfied that all was well, Twilight stood proudly next to her handiwork. All of her friends were all busy at the events they had set up. Things seemed to be going smoothly. That is, until a group of Crystal-Sapiens wanted to see the Crystal Heart. "Sure thing!" Twilight unveiled her creation, but the expressions on the group's faces were not what she expected to see.

"That's not the Crystal Heart." One of the group stated as he pointed at Twilight's crystal carving. "It must still be lost somewhere. Without it, the Crystal Faire isn't complete!"

Twilight began to panic when she noticed the nervous look on the group's faces. "Um. . . don't worry! I have the real Crystal Heart safely tucked away somewhere! Please don't worry! I just need to go and get it!" Twilight ran off in the direction of the crystal castle. However, her departure hadn't gone unnoticed. Arctic Ace had chosen to stand guard near the replica Twilight made. And he overheard the whole exchange.

"No sense in delaying this any longer." Ace spread his wings, and flew after Twilight! Hoping to catch up with her and help her deal with what was gong through her head. And further adding to the weight of the situation, Cadence's magic was starting to give out. Making the appearance of the sky flicker between the regular blue and the dingy orange that prevailed when Sombra ruled.

"I'll take it from here Cadence." Shining Armor said as he powered up his magic! Casting the same shield spell he'd learned from Princess Celestia! "You're not getting inside."

Sombra's shadow form said nothing in response. Instead, he chose to act. A large black crystal shot up from where his horn had fallen, and a concentrated beam of dark magic shot at Shining Armor's shield spell! The dark magic dissolving the shield spell upon contact! And the tyrant of the Crystal Empire slithered his way through the gates. The people who he had enslaved bowing and trembling in fear of his very presence. "Crystal Slaavess. . . " King Sombra sneered down at the cowering mass of people beneath him. "You have-GAAAUUUGH!" Sombra howled in pain as he felt something cut him! A slash clearly present in his side! A lone figure landed right in front of Sombra!

"Who. . . DARES?! Sombra growled as the figure stood up to meet his glare! Dark Ice now stood tall, and was returning Sombra's glare with full force.

"I dare." Dark Ice declared boldly. The people of the Crystal Empire were in complete shock! None had dared to stand against King Sombra since the Royal Sisters! And yet here was a lone warrior standing his ground against the tyrant! "So you're King Sombra. I've gotta say, I'm not impressed. I was expecting to fight a king. Not a massive cloud of smoke with a face."

Sombra narrowed his eyes. "I am not a could of smoke boy. The tyrant growled. "I am a shadow! The dark that creeps behind every light. The silent fear that-"

"Shut it edge lord!" Dark Ice spat! "That trick might work on the ones you enslaved, but it's got no hold on me! How can I be scared of a coward?!" This remark seemed to visibly stagger Sombra! "You use fear to rule over your people, and you won't even take on a physical form to face me?! Are you just scared that you'll lose?! That someone can prove they don't have to be scared of you?!"

Sombra growled as he condensed his shadow form into a physical body. Intimidating armor and all. "You are a fool to challenge me boy. I am Sombra! I am-?!" Sombra barely finished his monologue before Dark Ice flew at him! Slashing him across the chest with his claymore! Mist leaking from the wound! "You. . . HURT me! WHO. . . ARE YOU. . . ?!

Dark Ice turned around to face Sombra! Defiance in his gaze as he spread out his wings! "I AM DARK ICE! THE ELEMENT OF COURAGE!" Ice once again took flight, and flew right at Sombra! "AND YOU DON'T SCARE ME!"


TO BE CONTINUED!