//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 - The Crystal Empire, Part 1 // Story: Guardian of Legends - Unity // by The Hero of Harmony //------------------------------// Four months have passed since the eventful Canterlot wedding, and life has been rather easy going since that day. Aside from sending the occasional creature that resided in the Everfree Forest found its way into Ponyville back to the forest, Twilight and her friends have been going about their lives as per normal. The day Silver showed the girls that he was capable of performing unicorn magic after the train ride back from Canterlot was when he was able to finally able to start taking his training to the next level, now that he was free from having to use his hooves or tail to use his sword. Despite the fact the girls knew that he was also able to perform Black and White Magic, he still kept that part of his training within his dreams while training with Crimson, who was getting more and more impressed at the progress the young pony has been making the past few months since his magical capabilities have opened up more. Within two and a half months, Silver had mastered the use of the third tier line of magic, capable of finally using the -aga variants of the main elemental spells, as well as Curaga and even learning to use the Raise spell. Now that he was able to use his unicorn magic to handle his weapon a lot better, swordplay between the sage and stallion started getting more heated as it allowed for Silver to make full use of his sword, but for Crimson this was nothing new given how the sage was able to take on Luna who was able to use her weapons in the same manner when using her magic. Prior to this, Silver would often get exhausted when he used his unicorn magic, often being only able to levitate some objects for at least thirty seconds before he tired out. Twilight figured because his unicorn magic has been dormant almost all his life he isn't attuned to it and needed a bit of time and patience before he could use his magic more effectively without exhausting himself out. Because of how swift of a learner Silver is, it only took at least five weeks before he was able to get a better handle with doing levitation spells to where it wouldn't tire him out. All and all, life in Ponyville was going at a steady pace. Until Twilight received a letter from Princess Celestia... Canterlot - Throne Room 11:30 AM It was another typical morning for the princess of the sun, as she was sitting on her throne, looking through a stack of papers, with her personal aide Raven Inkwell holding up to her as Celestia looked at one. Her thought process was interrupted when the doors to the room open, as a guard gallops down the toward the throne and bowed. "Urgent news from northern Equestria your highness!" Celestia nods her head. "Yes?" She asked. The guard looked at her, before removing his helmet. "I am simply to tell you... it has returned." The guard replied. This causes Celestia's eyes to widen before gasping. She looks to her other guards. "Find Princess Cadence and Shining Armor immediately." Celestia ordered in a concerned tone. The other two guards salute. "Yes, Your Highness." The guard to her right replied. The three guards then gallop out of the throne room, leaving Celestia alone as Raven left when the first guard came in. She then brings out a parchment and quill as she starts writing a letter. "My dearest Twilight, you must come to Canterlot at once." Golden Oaks Library - Ponyville 11:35 AM Twilight and Spike were busy organizing the books in the library, as per usual. As Spike was carrying another stack of books, he suddenly held his breath as he burps out a scroll. Twilight sees it and knows it is from the princess, and raised her brow. "Oh? A letter from Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked, as she takes the scroll. She then opens it and reads for a moment, before gasping, suddenly her calm mood turned into panic. "A TEST?! PRINCESS CELESTIA WANTS TO GIVE ME AN IMPORTANT TEST?!" She screamed. She was breathing in a panicking manner, as she looks around and starts running around the place. While this happened, her friends all walked in and just stood there when they saw the mare running about like a madmare. "Where are all my quills?" She asked aloud. She looks at one shelf as she finds her quills and launches them at Spike, who was already at the ready as he catches them in a bag. "No, no, no, no, no... Ugh! I need the Magical Compendium volumes 1 through 36! Where is it?!" She screamed. She then looks up at one shelf, eyeing a large book. "Ah-ha!" She pulls it off the shelf with her magic as Spike stood under it, ready to catch the otherwise large book. That was until Silver rushes over and lets it land on his back, causing him to buckle his knees a bit. Spike felt a bit relieved from that, as he really didn't want to have to try to get that book packed. "Flash cards! I should make some flash cards. Spike, I'm gonna need you to quiz me. On everything. Everything I've ever learned. Ever." Twilight ordered. She takes out a few large stacks of flash cards as Spike holds onto both stacks with both arms as he looks at the stack and back at Twilight. This causes Twilight to pause for a moment, looking at him. "That isn't going to be enough flash cards." Twilight replied. Spike then sighs before setting the stack of cards down on the floor. "Twilight, calm down! It's just a test." This causes Twilight's ears, and eye to twitch. "...Just a test?" Twilight asked calmly. Spike knew that tone as he backs away a bit. "JUST A TEST?!" Twilight asked again, only now screaming in Spike's face. He backs aware as Twilight continues to approach him, staring down at him angrily. "Princess Celestia wants to give me some kind of exam, and you're trying to tell me to calm down because it's just a test?!" Spike, knowing how she is going to react from his answer, rushes out and back wearing makeshift armor made up of large pillows and a helmet. "Uh... yes?" Spike replied nervously. This causes Twilight to slowly boil in rage. Silver begins to back away before taking cover behind the nearby couch as the large book landed on the floor behind with a big thud. "I'd say she's handling things pretty well, considerin'." Applejack said, smirking. That is when her rage reached its climax and the treehouse then shot up into the air, followed by a loud groan echoing out, before landing back down. Throne Room - Canterlot Two hours later Celestia and Luna stood before the stained-glass window of their victory against the Changeling Invasion, both with a look of concern on their face. "Are you sure you don't want me to go as well?" Luna asked. Celestia didn't look at her sister as she still had her eyes on the window, but still replied to her sister's question. "Yes. Princess Cadance and Shining Armor are already there. The others will be joining them soon." Luna just sighed, hinting a bit of disappointment. "The Empire's magic is powerful. It cannot fall again, my sister..." Luna said softly with a frown. Celestia looks down at Luna, with a look of worry. "It still haunts you doesn't it, Lulu?" Celestia asked. The dark blue alicorn nods, her ears drop back. "Even after all this time, the memories of that day never left my mind. The battle we fought against him, the signs of when Nightmare Moon slowly surfaced... the time everything went down hill for us both..." Celestia placed a comforting wing around her sister and pulled her in close, before nuzzling her head softly, to which Luna returns it. "She will succeed at her task. And when she does, we'll know that she is that much closer to being ready... Plus never forget, if he does manage to enter the Empire, Silver will be there to keep him busy..." Celestia said with soft grin. Luna was about to say more, but they were interrupted by Twilight, who just entered the throne room, with her completely stocked with her books, parchment, scrolls, and quills. "Ahem!" Twilight cleared her throat, before giving a sheepish grin. "Trust me, my little sister." Celestia spoke softly. Luna just nods before making her leave. Twilight walked down as she passes Luna, who simply looks at her without speaking and continued on her way. Twilight eventually approached Celestia as she lifts her heavy saddlebag off her back and places it on the floor, as some of its contents spill out. "You wanted to see me? To give me a test?" Twilight asked. "I brought my own quills and plenty of paper to show my work." She said with glee. One of the scrolls unravels down the carpet toward Celestia, which she lifts her hoof back a bit to where it stop rolling. "Sorry! Sorry!" Twilight apologized as she started to roll the other end of the scroll up, while Celestia levitates the other end of it and starts to roll it back up. "This is a different kind of test." Celestia replied. She then lifts the rest of Twilights things and places them back into her bags, leaving Twilight confused. "The Crystal Empire has returned." The monarch declared. Twilight blinks as she begins to worry. She clearly never even heard of it, she starts looking at several books she brought. "The Crystal Empire? I-I'm sorry, but I thought I studied..." She panics, looking at through several books. "I don't think there's anything in any of my books th–" Celestia interrupts her as she begins to walk back toward the throne. "There wouldn't be. Few remember it ever existed at all. Even my knowledge of the Empire is limited. But what I do know is that it contains a powerful magic." Celestia explained. She lifts a crystal from a glass container and brings it over to Twilight. Using her magic, the crystal shines and a large 3-D looking map of the Crystal Empire appeared before the two. Twilight looked at it in awe, seeing how the small holographic denizens of the Empire were living a peaceful life. "One thousand years ago, King Sombra, a unicorn whose heart was black as night, took over the Crystal Empire." She added. Soon the map started to get covered with dark crystal and the center began forming a dark crystalline palace, before revealing the head of a black unicorn, with a horn that went from dark gray to red, piercing red eyes, with green covering what were once white, and dark, purple smoke emitting from them. He gave a sneering, fanged look as he watches the crystal ponies perform hard labor and being enslaved. "Me and my sister, as well as the rest of the Royal Guard attempted to retake the Empire and defeat Sombra. This was the day the Crystal Empire fell, as Luna and I did our best to fight him, but even two-to-one he still proved to be a challenge." "Eventually, he was ultimately overthrown, turned to shadow, and banished to the ice of the arctic north." Celestia and Luna then appear above him and both shine their horns and strike Sombra down while he was weakened and then begins breaking up and eventually becomes nothing but a cloud of smoke, before he roars loudly and is encased within the ice of the arctic north. It then showed the Empire slowly recovering from Sombra's hold over it, before started to disappear completely, leaving the crystal in the air. "But not before he was able to put a curse upon the Empire. A curse that caused it to vanish into thin air." Celestia finished. The two look at the crystal, as Celestia smiled softly, her horn glows as a ray of light hits the crystal, showing a bright, purple crystal that glowed radiantly, leaving Twilight amazed. "If the Empire is filled with hope and love, those things are reflected across all of Equestria." Celestia added with a grin. That was until her grin broke into a serious look, as she closed her eyes. "If hatred and fear take hold..." Her eyes became glowing green and emitted the same smoke like Sombra, as she used dark magic and hit the crystal, this time corrupting it. As the shadow of the crystal grew, dark crystals began erupting around Twilight, causing her to back away in fear. Celestia then switches back to her normal magic and destroys the crystals with her own magic as they dissipated into nothing. She then begins walking toward a shocked Twilight. "Which is why I need your help finding a way to protect it." Twilight just stood there, now more worried and concerned about the task given to her. "You want me to help protect an entire empire...?" Twilight asked, with hesitance. Celestia looked down at her. "It is, as I said, a different kind of test. But one I'm certain you will pass." Celestia said, flashing a caring grin. Twilight's demeanor changed with a look of confidence. "How do I begin?" She asked. The two began walking toward the doors of the throne room as Celestia explains her task further. "By joining Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire." She replied. Twilight then smiled brightly upon hearing Cadence and Shining being at the Empire. "My brother is there?" She asked. "He is. And your Ponyville friends will join you there as well. I have every confidence you will succeed." Celestia replied. As they head out, they find Luna as well as Silver waiting. Silver wanted to come with Twilight and decided to wait for her outside, and when Luna came out the two just talked for the time they had. "And when you do, I'll know you are ready to move on to the next level of your studies." Celestia finished. Luna's gaze upon Twilight caused Twilight to look away from her, seeing how serious she looked. "But what if I fail?" Twilight asked worriedly. Celestia, with her motherly look and smile simply shook her head. "You won't." She simply said. "But what if I..." Twilight asked again. "You won't." Celestia said more affirmingly. Twilight just nods meekly and was about to make her way out, with Silver in tow before Celestia stops them. "But Twilight, in the end, it must be you and you alone who ultimately assists Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in doing what needs to be done to protect the Empire." Celestia explained. "Do you understand?" She asked. Twilight smirked and nods. "Then go. There is no time to lose." Celestia motioned them to go. The Princesses look to Silver, whom they simply give a knowingly nod to, which Silver gives back. The doors to the throne room then shut, leaving the two ponies alone, with Twilight looking worried again. The two head outside the palace, where they see Spike waiting for them, asking whether or not if Twilight passed her test. After not saying anything and looking more down on herself, causing Silver to worry for her well being. Having heard the explanation from Luna while the two talked, he can see why Twilight felt as though she was carrying a heavy burden on her shoulders now. Suddenly, she starts singing with melancholy about how out of everything she could ever prepare for, a test or quiz, this task given to her was something she wasn't prepared for. As she finishes, they all arrived at the train station, Twilight still looking gloomy, while Spike walks gleefully after her, before it hits him at what they were singing about. "Prepared... for what exactly?" Spike asked. She was about to answer, when she heard the hoofsteps of her friends coming over to them. "Twilight! Uh, did you pass?" Applejack asked awkwardly. The girls all looked toward her, wondering the same. Twilight just gives a forced grin. "Are we gonna celebrate your awesomeness with Princess Celestia?" Pinkie asked excitedly. She then pulls out her party cannon which she sets off, blowing confetti in the air as she leaps up with the stuff. "Not quite." Twilight replied. This causes Pinkie, somehow, to make the confetti return back into the cannon and have her fall back down to the ground with a grunt. "We are going to the Crystal Empire." She confidently added. The girls just look at each other then, for a few moments silently. Rainbow Dash then just looks at Twilight, confused. "Crystal what?" Friendship Express - Northern Equestria 2 hours later The group finally arrives to the lone train station that was located out in the middle of nowhere. Heavy snow was blowing across the land as the wind howled loudly as the train comes to a complete stop at the platform. The group all come off, wincing at the cold wind of the snow, clearly haven't been prepared for the sudden change of weather. All except for Rarity, who boasts about coming prepared with extra scarves, which Spike followed carrying a large amount of luggage Rarity brought. Silver, of course, had his cloak and hood up. The cold didn't bother him that much, having spent many cold evenings in the Badlands during late autumn and winter, but considering this was near the arctic, he really didn't want to be out here for long. "Hard to believe there is even a stop up here... in the middle of nowhere." Silver pointed out. The group huddled together, while Spike continued to carry the heavy luggage. Silver rolled his eyes and helped lessen his load by setting some of it down. "Twilight!" A familiar voice yelled out through the wind. The group heard, as Twilight's ears twitched and looks carefully out, recognizing the voice. "Shining Armor?" She asked. Through the blowing snow, a pony wearing a heavy black scarf and black visors approached the platform, before lifting the visor up with his magic and scarf down with his hoof, gasp out a bit for air before looking at Twilight. "Twily! You made it!" Shining yelled, smiling brightly. Twilight grinned just as brightly as she rushes over and hugs her older brother tightly. He returns it, but then looks at her with a serious expression and looks back out toward the frozen wasteland. "We'd better get moving. There are things out here we really don't want to run into after dark." Shining said with a grim tone. The group all looked concerned, as Twilight looks at Shining confused and worried. Fluttershy then gulps before speaking up. "W-what kind of things?" Shining looks back at them. "Let's just say the Empire... isn't the only thing that's returned." The group look at each other, with Silver having a calm and collective look, as he feels his magic begin to slowly 'grasp' for his weapon. Ten minutes have passed as the group trek through the blowing snow further north. Silver agreed to keep the rear while Shining lead them. The girls kept their eyes closed due to the snow blowing in their faces. "Something keeps trying to get in! We think it's the unicorn king who originally cursed the place." Shining yells out. "But Princess Celestia said I was being sent here to find a way to protect the Empire! If King Sombra can't get in, then it must already be protected." Twilight rebutted back. Before they could comment further, they hear a loud howl and it didn't sound like the wind that was already blowing. This caused the group to stop in their tracks. Silver, on instinct, already draws his sword out and looks around cautiously. "I don't think we're alone out here, anymore!" Silver yelled out. The girls started to panic, Fluttershy mostly. "Th-That's one of the things, isn't it?" She asked, freaking out. Shining gets their attention, as the howling gets closer. "We have to get to the Crystal Empire! Now!" He ordered. Just soon after, they see a large bellow of black smoke creep toward them, before towering over the group, revealing two glowing green and red eyes that gave off a purple mist. It just growls and roars as it closes in on them. "MOVE!!" Silver screamed as the other start galloping off forward. Spike was nearly claimed by Sombra, but thankfully was pulled away by Shining and found his way on Twilight's back. Seeing how close Sombra was getting, Shining decides to try to make a stand. He fires a bit of magic at him, but he evades the shot. It then lunges forward, as Shining is about to charge another spell. "AERORA!" Silver screams out, holding his Oak Staff out, conjuring a medium sized, green vortex of wind toward the large smoke wall. Sombra, caught off guard, was suddenly struck by the strong wind spell, causing him to roar in fury, as well as being blown back a bit. "Shining, this way!" Silver yelled. Taking the opportunity, Shining nods and begins galloping forward again with Silver following behind. Sombra, managing to break free of the wind spell, starts darting faster toward them. "Almost there!" Shining yelled. They see the girls ahead, but as they kept going, they just vanish from sight. For the girls, they leap into the barrier, all panting out of breathe. "I-is everypony alright?" Twilight asked, gasping heavily. The girls all responded, out of breath, a yes. Just then, they hear two more coming through the barrier, as Silver and Shining land in the grass, panting too. "Shining Armor! Silver!" Twilight exclaimed, rushing over, as Spike falls off her back and landing on the ground. "You two okay?" She asked. "Yeah... we're fine." Shining pants. He looks over and places his hoof on Silver. "Thanks for the save back there... Don't know what Sombra could've done if he got to me..." Shining said with a tired grin. "Don't mention it..." Silver waved it off, placing his staff back in his back. "Had a feeling regular magic wouldn't affect a large black smoke cloud, but seems wind magic does work wonders, heh..." He chuckled. "Hey everypony, look!" Pinkie yelled. The group looks outward and just looks at awe at the Crystal Empire. The palace in the center was just breathtaking, the sun reflecting off the top of the place. "Wow... that is pretty incredible." Silver said in awe. "Sparkleriffic!~" Pinkie screamed excitedly. The group arrives near the center of the empire, as most admired the sight, especially the castle that stood in the very epicenter of the city. Rarity was just gushing at the sheer beauty of it all, it was hard for the mare to contain her excitement. "It's gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous!" Rarity exclaimed. She mumbles a bit, incoherently before continuing. "There are no words!" Applejack then comes over and places her hoof against Rarity, snapping out of her world for a moment. "Focus, Rarity. We're here to help Twilight, not admire the scenery." She explained, as she moved onward. Rarity then looks toward her, confused. Rainbow walks a bit behind them, looking up with a not amused look. "Eh, I don't see what the big deal is. Just looks like another old castle to me." Rainbow said flatly. This caused Rarity to look at her, mouth agape. She couldn't believe what she just heard. "A– p– guh! Another old...! Have you lost your mind? Look at the magni–" She is then interrupted as Applejack and Rainbow just laugh at her, the latter clearly messing with her. The two proceed to head inside the tall structure after the other leaving Rarity to just chuckle sheepishly. "Very funny..." She responded plainly. Crystal Empire - Throne Room Cadence sat on the throne, very weary and on the verge of passing out from exhaustion. Her horn emitting her magic, but feels the effects of it slowly draining her. She wanted to sleep, she wanted to eat, but she couldn't for the sake of the Empire. Beside her stood her Zodiac Guard, as the three mares all look at Cadence with worry and concern, doing what they can to keep her awake. Even with their power and comfort, they knew the Princess of Love wouldn't be able to keep this up for long... That is until they heard a very familiar voice echo out in the vast room. "Cadence!" Twilight greeted. The pink alicorn looks up, and suddenly her spirits were lifted as she saw her new sister-in-law approach her with a bright grin. She climbs off the throne as she goes to meet with Twilight. As they meet, they do their special dance. "Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" The two said together and laughed. Aquamarine, Garnet, and Amethyst, upon seeing a bit of hope radiate from Cadence's face, giggled upon seeing the dance she does with Twilight. Silver just rolled his eyes. "Girls..." He thought However, Cadence stops laughing as a sudden jolt of pain hits her as she tries to keep her barrier spell holding strong, as the sky outside flickered from the bright blue to the gray, storm colored clouds that surrounded the empire, before becoming blue again. This made everyone in the room concerned as Zodiac Guards came over to her to make sure she was alright, to which Cadence simply waved it off. She then looked at Twilight, with a tired smiled. "One of these days we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance." She chuckled weakly, before sighing. "Are you okay?" Twilight asked, worried. Shining then walks over to Cadence's side, with much concern on his face. "Cadence 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. Even with my help in trying to power the barrier, it won't be enough since she is putting everything she has into the spell..." Shining explained. Cadence then takes a deep breath, while trying to stay awake and on her hooves before looking back at him. "It's alright Shining Armor, I'm fine." She said tiredly. Shining shook his head as he placed a gentle hoof on her shoulder. "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." Shining noted, looking outside. The group looked at each other, not wanting to think back at nearly being attacked by Sombra. "That's why we're here." Twilight said with affirmation. "Why we're all here." Applejack corrected. Twilight looks back at them and grinned and nods. "Well, with Cadence 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." Shining added. This caused Rarity, to immediately gush out in excitement when he mentioned the crystal ponies. "Crystal Ponies?! Hahaha, there are Crystal Ponies?!" She asked. She then looked at everyone who just stared at her. She then giggles meekly, before clearing her throat. "Please continue." She said, now calm. They simply roll their eyes as Shining continues with his explanation. "But we have to believe one of them knows how we can protect the Empire without having to use Cadence's magic." That was when Twilight suddenly had an idea, one that made her excited. "A research paper!" Twilight yelled. Everyone in the room just looked at each other and then at Twilight. They all had a confused look on their faces. "Huh?" Shining asked. "Uh, Twilight... Care to explain to the class what you mean by a 'research paper'?" Silver waved. Twilight giggled. "That this must be part of my test – to gather information from the Crystal Ponies and deliver it to you!" She answered, as she points her hoof at Shining and Cadence, who blinked. "This is gonna be great! I love research papers!" She finished, very giddy. Rainbow then rolls her eyes. "Yeah, who doesn't?" She asked, sarcastically. "Oh-oh-oh! Lemme guess! Is it Spike? Nono, Fluttershy! Rarity?" Pinkie then tried to guess, as they laugh a bit at Pinkie's antics. "Don't worry, big brother. I am really good at this sort of thing." Twilight said with strong confidence. However, that confidence soon became worry and concern as shortly after, the group dispersed out into the city in order to gain information to bring to Shining and Cadence. The first crystal pony that Twilight and Spike visited appeared to have a hard time trying to remember everything that happened during Sombra's rule, something that frightened her as she can only remember the tyrant's evil gaze and laughter, causing her to wince in pain, not wanting to remember all that happened at all. The others were also have the exact same problem, and couldn't get anything from the residents. They all eventually met back in front of the palace, noting they all turned up with nothing useful. However, Applejack mentions how some of them mentioned looking into finding info at the library, which immediately made Twilight get giddy and excited at the thought. Soon, the group arrived at the massive library, something that was on par with the library in Canterlot in terms of the amount of books that was kept here. After trying to ask the librarian, Amethyst Maresbury, where to find a book on the history of the Empire, to which the librarian couldn't even recall if she even worked there, sharing the same problem with rest of the crystal ponies in the place, the group started to search all over the place for any books that could help them, but considering the size of the library, it was turning into a lost cause. That was until Twilight finally found what they were looking for, and it was a book titled History of the Crystal Empire. Taking this information back to Shining Armor and Cadence, Twilight explains about putting on a Crystal Faire, which was established by the first ruler of the Empire, and becoming an important tradition yearly, as a means to 'renew the spirit of love and unity in the empire so they can protect them from harm'. With this in mind, the group decide to go out and begin setting everything up for the Crystal Faire. After a couple hours, and to add the finishing touches, Twilight crafted a crystal heart to act as the centerpiece of the Faire. With everything set, Twilight then stands out on the balcony of the palace and makes the announcement of the beginning of the Faire. Slowly, the Crystal Ponies all emerge from their homes as they start to go about the Faire, eventually all of them began to regain their color and the crystal shine as the Faire starts to renew their hope as they partake in the food and games. Slowly, they all began to remember a time before King Sombra came into power and suddenly remember the Crystal Heart as they head to where Dash and AJ were standing where the heart was located. "Is it true? Is the Crystal Heart really here at the Faire?" Sapphire Joy asked. "Sure do! Can't have a Crystal Faire without a crystal heart, right?" Dash asked with a shrug. It was until the librarian, Amethyst Maresbury, came over and responded to her question. "Of course you can't. The whole purpose of the Crystal Faire is to lift the spirits of the Crystal Ponies, so the light within them can power the Crystal Heart, so that the Empire can be protected!" She then gasps as her color and crystal sheen returned. "I do work at a library!" She exclaimed in amazement. However, what she said about the Crystal Heart suddenly made Dash and AJ look at each other with confusion as they approach her. "W-what's that about 'powering the heart'?" Dash hesitantly asked. In her excitement, not noticing the worry in tone in Dash's question, she responds passively. "I just can't believe you found it. King Sombra said he'd hidden it away where we would never see it again! I only hope it will still be as powerful after all these years...!" She then looks away and looked surprised. "Mm, funnel cake!" The librarian walks away, leaving AJ and Dash suddenly seeing how important the Crystal Heart really was. The two just glance at each other with more worry as the pegasus flew up to a flagpole at one of the palace spires and grabs the flag before flying back down and drapes the fake heart with it so none of the Crystal Ponies would see it as a clear fake. Twilight, who was reading the book next to the fake heart, felt the flag drape her and just looks at Rainbow Dash with a confused look. "Rainbow Dash, wha-" "I-I think we might have a problem...!" Dash cut her off, concerned. After being explained how important the Heart really was for the Crystal Ponies, she immediately rushes up to the balcony where Cadence, Shining, Silver and the Zodiac Guard were at. "Twilight? What's wrong?" Silver asked, munching on a funnel cake. She didn't respond right away as she was searching through page after page in the book. "I didn't know it was an actual relic! The book didn't mention anything about the Crystal Ponies powering the Heart!" She exclaimed. The group just look at her, before Silver asked. "...Say what?" She then reaches the end of the book, but finds a missing page torn out. "There's a page missing... How did I not notice?!" "It's alright Twilight..." Cadence responded weakly. However, she began to feel faint as she couldn't stand anymore, but Shining catches her before she hit the floor. Cadence gasps as her horn begins flickering and her magic starts to diminish. "Twily..." Shining said with worry. They hear the howling, as the sky around the empire begins to slowly turn into a dark, cloudy sky, with snow blowing in. The barrier was down, and they saw the familiar smoky mass approach the border of the empire. Sombra appears, grinning evilly while growling as he approached. "Right..." Silver said quietly, as he draws his blade as he walked forward, looking out. "Time to get to work." To be continued...