Cadence looked over the Crystal Empire with a sigh. The Crystal Ponies were demanding to see Sombra on trial for his crimes. She had no authority over Ponyville, as it belonged to Twilight and Twilight was in charge of Sombra's Reformation. Cadence trusted Twilight, if Twilight thought he was making progress then Cadence trusted her.
She trotted over to her bed and laid down next to Shining Armor, giving a little kiss. "Good Night, my love." With a flick of her horn she turned out the lights.
Cadence stopped dead in her tracks at the sight before her. Three ponies, an Earth, Unicorn, and Pegasus, were standing around a large cauldron. The were murmuring in a strange language as the Earth Pony stirred the strange smoking substance. The ponies themselves were not surprising, it was their attire. all three of them wore platinum armor that seemed designed for the sole purpose of making them look like Princess Celestia, if the maker had never seen or heard of Celestia. The crest had far more colors and the trim was curled into intricate designs that resembled runes. their flanks seemed to be adorned with their normal Cutie Marks instead of Celestia's.
The Unicorn smiled. "A mortal has found us. And here I was thinking that they'd forgotten us."
The Pegasus laughed. "Sister, truely you jest? Mortals have such fickle memories, she stumbled upon us by chance."
The Earth pony eyed Cadence. "Well mortal, By chance of by design, Why have you disturbed us?"
Cadence summoned up her courage to speak. "I've to ask for your help in defeating Prisma."
The pegasus grinned. "That's easy." She flew over to Cadance, slipping a knife into her hoof. "Sneak up on her and cut her throat."
Cadence stared at the knife in horror while the Unicorn spoke. "Foolish sister, Blood begets blood. Killing her would make her unworthy of her destiny."
The Earth pony huffed. "Speak not of Destiny in my presence. But a pegasus unwilling to shed blood is an oddity indeed. Heart of an Earth pony, Mind of a Unicorn, Body of a Pegasus."
The Pegasus squee'd and hugged Cadence. "I thought it untrue, A great Destiny Indeed!" The Earth pony glared. "Have you another word for it?"
"No." The Earth pony sighed. "All you need to do is approach this mare, your Earth pony heart will do the rest. Remember, Love and be loved, great power will come your way." The Pegasus rejoined her sisters and they resumed their chant.
"I have one more thing to ask." They all turned to her, perplexed. "What are your names?"
"We are the Valkyries." They said in unison. "The children of Fate, Magic, and Time." they raised their hooves eyes glowing. "Go now, greatness awaits."
She awoke to a knock on her door. Moving quickly, she put on all her regalia and started to pull a brush through her mane. "Come in!"
A Pegasus guard opened the door saluting. "Your majesty! There's been a disturbance in the Castle Courtyard. Prince Shining Armor has gone to apprehend the ponies Responsible but..." he shrunk away. "Forgive me, your majesty, but they refuse to stand down unless you speak with them."
"We'll I'm sure that it's not too bad." She set down her hair brush and smiled at him. Sometimes it felt good to be able to interact with her little ponies. She started off towards the courtyard, her eagerness causing her walk faster than would be considered princessly. The poor pegasus guard galloped to keep up.
"Your majesty, these are no ordinary ponies. These are..."
"Ugh... please stop calling me majesty, it's highness. I'm a princess, not a Queen." She opened the doors and glanced back at him. "Besides I'm an Alicorn. I'm pretty sure I can handle a couple angry ponies."
She looked up to see a Crystal Unicorn in Full-battle armor in the middle of a staring contest with Shining Armor. The unicorn was accompanied by dozens of other Crystal Unicorns and Crystal Pegasi, All of them looked ready for war. A unicorn near the back held a Flag bearing a skull with flaming blue eyes. Shining Armor spoke. "I can handle this."
"Put some real armor on, then we'll fight." The Unicorn growled.
Shining laughed. "More like you should grab some more buddies, then we'll have a fight."
Stallions "Enough. I heard you gentlestallions..."
"And mares!" A gruff looking pegasus mare with a light green coat cried.
"... Wished to speak with me?" She smiled. "Could I ask your names?"
"I am Commander Limestone, of the Harbinger Guard." He looked away from Shining. "We're here for Staff-Sergeant Sombra."
"So we can Gut him like the traitorous Pig he is!" A Unicorn Mare carrying their flag cried. they was met with more cries of agreement.
Cadence cleared her throat and that all went silent. She spoke slowly and carefully. "I'm afraid Sombra Isn't here..." Cries of anger filled the air.
"SILENCE!!!" Limestone roared. All of them grew sheepish and took some steps back. He narrowed his eyes at the group. "What would Onyx say to how your behaving?"
Cadence noticed ponies starting to come out of their homes. many looked angry and carried things in their hooves. "maybe we should head inside."
"Traitors!" a burly, amethyst stallion hurled a potted plant at Limestone, who blocked it with a small round shield. That caused the pegasus mare who'd spoken out earlier to tackle him to the ground. Within moments the entire courtyard was thrown into chaos. Normal civilians started to fling odds and ends at the Harbinger Guard, who seemed far too willing to respond with brute force.
"I agree." Limestone looked to the pegasus mare. "Starstreak! Evacuate the guard and return to the Home Base. The Princess wishes for peaceful talks."
Cadence could sense waves of love pass between them as she saluted Limestone. "Yes, Sir! I wish you the best of luck, Sir!" She flew away barking orders at the retreating Guards, who left subdued attackers in their wake. Some of the Crystal guard gave chase, in an attempt to prove they were not in fact useless.
"I didn't know there were Crystal Unicorns or Pegasi."
Limestone snorted. "Of course they'd keep that from you. In a couple of years they could pull out some random Earth pony and say that they're the true heir."
"And what makes you think I'd give up my right to the throne that easily?"
He smirked and eyed her. "You don't look like the kind of mare that get's into many fights."
Shining growled at him from his spot directly behind them. Cadence giggled at his pout. "You mentioned an 'Onyx'? Who were they?"
"She was very important to us. She and the King were helplessly and utterly in love before Sombra betrayed us. But she was one of us, we're forbidden to engage in relationships with the royals unless it's allowed by the Noble houses. The fact the King was married to some Equestrian duchess didn't help. The two started to see each other in secret but everypony in our Guard knew. When the Queen died, the King went over the Noble houses and made an honest mare outta her," He smiled, looking of into the distance. "Sombra cried like a foal then. 'Liquid Pride' he said. ah, those were the days."
"You seem to remember him Fondly." Cadence said.
"...Many of us do. I feel it's better than remembering what he became." Limestone grunted. "We didn't pick a side when he took over. Not officially."
"And why not? You obviously could have subdued him easily."
"Because according to our creed the only Crime he Committed was killing one of his Sister's in Arms." The prince and Princess of the Crystal Empire jumped in surprise. "You seem surprised."
"He enslaved the Entire Empire!" Shining Growled.
Limestone Stared at Shining, his words having no effect. "Let me show you something." His horn glowed and his armor disappeared from his body. Limestone was covered with scars, some fresher than others and one very deep one down the side of his neck. His coat was light grey and only slightly transparent. but what drew their attention was the Cutie mark. It was a Kite shield, emblazoned with the Skull from their banner, tightly wrapped in Chains. "I got lucky. Most of us never get Cutie Marks. We don't pretend to hold any loyalty to the Throne, our only connection to the Empire is the fact we're born here."
"But Starstreak..."
"Sombra killed her sister. She has every right to be enraged as for us it was little over a year ago. we have a nasty habit of holding grudges. quite honestly, the main reason I'm here is to ask what punishment he's receiving, on her behalf."
"He's been turned into a foal and is being reformed by the Elements of Harmony." Cadence said. "If he falls back to Darkness then you may have him to do with as you with as you please."
An amused smile tugged on his lips as he bowed. "Very well, your highness. If you ever require your assistance, simply speak to the dragon of the crystal mountains." His horn glowed with a prepared spell.
"Wait!" Limestone vanished in a flash of light. "... I still had questions." Cadence's ears fell in disappointment.
Shining snorted. "Good riddance. What are you doing?"
"Think of the research oppertunities!" cadences horn glowed, guiding a quill across a roll of parchment.
"You aren't..." the scroll vanished in a burst of flame. "Sound the alarm! Code Purple! I repeat, Code Purple!" Shining bolted off to make preparations for the impending alicorn invasion.