> The Rise Of An Empire > by XxprincesscadenceXx > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Arrival > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Hey! Crystal Charmer!” Luna yelled to me. “What???” I screamed back. “Come to my place tonight!!!!!” She yelled. “Okay!!!!!” I said. That night I found myself in a fancy party gown dancing at Princess Luna’s welcome home party. I knew Luna before she got banished and why she got banished! Why, no pony knows that it was really Celestia’s fault!!!! I used to be an Alicorn in the golden ages before Celestia created Discord and became the savior of Equestria!! But no one knew the true side to her….the side that banished Luna, her own sister, and made me lose my powers!!!! I simply became a simple unicorn that knew no magic and I had to start from scratch! So now you see why I hate her!!!! Even to make that worse she made Cadence my Pff an alicorn and made her forget about me! We have never talked since… I wish that Celestia would just die in a ditch sometimes….UGH!!!! “What are you thinking about???” Luna asked me. “Nothing!!!” I replied. “Tell me later! First I want to introduce some pony to you! You already know her!!!!!!” Luna replied. “Well, I kind of know every pony so, introduce me to her!!!” I replied. “This is….Princess Mi Amore De Cadenza!” Luna replied. My jaw dropped! I could not believe what Luna was doing to me! We were supposed to be friends!! If Cadence remembers me then I might be banished to the moon or worse!!! “Ummm….Hi.” I said “Hello! Please just call me Cadence! Not Princess Mi Amore de Cadenza!!” She said with a smile. “Okay…” I said weakly. “What is wrong? Did I say anything wrong???” Cadence asked. “No! I just am feeling weak! I might call it a night!” I said. Then I ran away! I never wanted anything to do with this in the first place!! Why did this have to happen to me?? Why did Celestia have to take over MY kingdom! I just wanted to scream! Unfortunately, I did not have time to do what I wanted for my door opened and guess who came crashing in?? Thats right! Luna! My only sister!!! “Why did you leave????” she asked. “Well I kind-of have a messed up past with Cadence you know that!!!” I replied. “Well get over it!! You guys can still be friends!!!!!!!” Luna told me. “No!!! I used to be the Alicorn the special one!!! And she liked me for who I was!! Not for what I look like!!!!” I said. “She does not care!! She is DATING a unicorn!!!!” Luna screamed at me. “Really who then????” I yelled back. “Shining Armor!!!!” She said quietly. My heart dropped. Luna was the only pony who knew that I liked Shining Armor!!!!! Now he has a girlfriend?? My old pff?? If we were still friends she would have thought about that!!! But NO!!!! She had to take over my perfect life and steal my spot!! I had to work at a donut shop my whole life!!!!! “Hey! It’s not her fault!!!!” Luna replied. “Well I know whose fault it is!!!! CELESTIA’S!!!” I yelled!!! “You know! She was just jealous!!!” Luna told me in a sad tone. I started crying. I could not take this any more! I ran away as far as my legs could take me. I finally took refuge in a small town called ponyville! I was lost and had no clue where I was. Finally I decided to sit down and rest by a small cottage! The next morning I woke up seeing a yellow pegasus staring at me! “Hello!” I said. The yellow pegasus screamed and ran away from me! I followed her for I had no where to go! “I am Crystal Charmer! What is your name??” I asked. “I’m, fluttershy…….” she said. “What was that??” I asked again. Luckily for me a cute little bunny showed up and she opened up! I decided to adopt that bunny and name it Lulu! For luck, you see my old bunny’s name was Lulu before Celestia killed it! I later found out the pony’s name was Fluttershy and she told me to go ask the town hall for a house to stay in! I lucky took refuge in a nice townhouse right in the middle of the town so I will never get lost again! Later that day I checked my mailbox not expecting to see anything there I got a letter from Canterlot. I slowly opened it. Dear Crystal Charmer, Please come back home! Tia is making everything bad! She is taking control of everything!!!! Please come home! ~Princess Luna > The Ponyville Dilemma > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After I read Luna’s letter I got thinking! Why is Celestia ruining everything??? She is now corrupting Canterlot and destroying everything!!! I would go back but things are kind of bad there. I decided to go explore ponyville! I walked and found myself at a pretty little shop. I walked into the shop and found a high society pony. “Welcome to Carousel Boutique! Where everything is chic, unique, and magnifique!” the sophisticated pony said. “Hi! I am Crystal Charmer” I said. “Why hello darling! My name is Rarity!” the sophisticated pony said. “Nice to meet you Rarity! I am new here and I just came from Canterlot!” I said. “Oh how nice! My pff came from Canterlot to! Her name is Twilight Sparkle!” Rarity replied. My heart dropped again. Twilight Sparkle? Princess Celestia’s most “Prized pupil??? Well great! Wherever I go Celestia follows me!!! “Oh...cool.” I replied in a sad tone. “Wait! Did I say anything wrong???” Rarity asked me. “No! I just am a bit...um…homesick!” I came up with my best excuse! I ran back to my house dissapointed that I may have to leave this nice town! But then a thought came to me! What if enough ponies wanted me to be Princess instead of Celestia! Then I could have my kingdom back! I was very happy by this thought to I went to dinner! I went to this place called Sugar Cube Corner. I met a pony named Pinkie Pie and well...she was intresting! She invited me to come over to her house tomorrow and I accepted just to make friends! And also to build an army, but I decided not to tell anypony that just yet! I mean what if Pinkie knows Twilight and is her friend?? Then I would be turned in! I decided to call it a night! The next day I woke up to the sound of birds chirping! I thought, oh what a wonderful day to spend with Luna!! Then all my memories came rushing back to me, all of my days! Even my past! Then I remembered about my bunny, Lulu! So I jumped out of bed and went to go feed her! After that I went to Pinkie’s place to “hang out” “HIIII!!!!!” Pinkie said to me. “Umm...Hi pinkie??” I replied. “How did you sleep? Huh Huh??” Pinkie said excitedly. “I slept very well thank you! How about you?” I asked. “I slept terrific” Pinkie answered. “I have to go to my work now! PARTY PLAN!!!!!” she said. “Kay! I said! Do you think anyplace will be able to hire me?” I asked. “Hmm...IDEA!!!! Head over to Sweet Apple Acres!!! AppleJack may be willing to hire you!!!!” Pinkie said! “Okay!” I replied and left! On my way to Sweet Apple Acres I ran into, literally, a fast rainbow pegasi! “Whoh!!! Watch where you are going!” I said shocked. “Sorry! I was trying to beat the new Cloudsdale speed record! After all, I am Rainbow Dash! The best flyer to ever come out of Cloudsdale!!!!” she told me! “Okay! Nice to meet you! Which way is it to Sweet Apple Acres?” I asked for I was very lost. “Oh! Just keep on following this road and you will see it!” Rainbow said. “Thanks! See you around!” I said and ran down the road! I finally got there and I saw a country pony kicking an apple tree. “Hello! My name is Crystal Charmer and Pinkie said I might be able to find a job here?” I said! “Howdy! My name is AppleJack and Pinkie was right! I need some help bucking the apple trees and you will get payed 10 bits per hour!” AppleJack said. “Great! When do I start?” I asked. “Tomorrow at 7:00 Am sharp!” Apple Jack said. “Okay! I will be here! I better head home so I can rest up!!!” I said “See you tomorrow!” AppleJack said. “See you tomorrow!” I replied and headed home. I thought about it! All of these ponies seemed very nice and kind that I had met! I for sure liked ponyville more than Canterlot any day! I ate dinner while re-reading the letter Luna sent to me! It felt odd hiding from Celestia. I was also wondering what she was now doing since I was gone! I bet she is trying to make everypony like her!! I felt tired and knew I had a big day tomorrow so I decided to call it a night. > The Gala > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The next morning I woke up to a knocking on my door! OH NO, I thought, am I late??? I opened the door just to see AppleJack standing there smiling! “Howdy Crystal!” Apple Jack said. “Hey AppleJack! Am I late for work??” I asked. “Nope! I just came to get you since it is your first day!” Apple Jack said “Okay! Thanks! Lets get started then” I said. After two hours of apple bucking I was exhausted! I wondered how she did this every day! I was very impressed! Finally after 9 more hours of apple bucking I was done! “How do you do this everyday?” I asked. “Well you kind of get used to it! Trust me you will too!” AppleJack said with a smile. “Thanks!” I said. “AppleJack!!! Dinner is ready!!!” a little yellow filly said. “Coming Apple Bloom!!!” Apple Jack yelled back. “Hey do you want to eat dinner with my family and I?” Apple Jack asked me. “If your family is okay with that then sure!” I replied happily. I went inside and saw the little filly, a red stallion, and an old green pony. “Okay! So this is Apple Bloom, Big Mac, and Granny Smith.” Apple Jack said proudly! “Nice to meet you! My name is Crystal Charmer!” I said. Apple Bloom served pasta and we ate and talked for the rest of the evening! “Thank you so much for the dinner! It was amazing!! But I should really head home now! I have to be back here early in the morning!!” I said. “Do you really have to go?” Apple Bloom said sadly. “Eeyup” Big Mac said. “Sorry! But I should get home now!!!” I said and waved goodbye. When I got home I jumped right into bed and slept well for the first time in years. The next morning I woke up and saw the sun shining brightly! Oh no, I though! Had I overslept??? I looked at the time and realized it was 12:00 noon!!! I quickly got ready and checked my mail just to see if there was any news. I got a letter from Apple Jack saying that I had the week off because she was going to Appleloosa! I thought! Hmm...should I return to Canterlot??? I pushed that thought out of my head and decided to go hang out with Rarity. I walked to Carousel Boutique and found Rarity. “Hey!!” I said “Why hello darling!” She replied. “I was just wondering! Do you have any work that I could do?” I asked. “Hmm...actually I do!” she said with a smile. “Okay! What is it??” I asked with glee. “Being my personal assistant!! You would get payed 5 bits per hour!” she said. “Okay! I will take it!!! What should I do??” I asked. “Go advertise!!! Here is a sign!!! Now go!!!” she said. I went to go advertise near my house where tons of ponies walk by everyday!!! “GO TO CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE!!! WHERE EVERYTHING IS CHIC, SLEEK, AND MAGNIFIQUE!!!!” I said. I did a lot more advertising and finally I got a lunch break! I went to a little deli shop! After a full day of advertising I went home and I had gotten a letter from Canterlot. Dear Crystal Charmer, You are cordially invited to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot! Here are six tickets you can bring 5 other friends! Princess Celestia, Luna, and Mi Amore De Cadenza. My heart dropped! I had a great day until now!!!!! The Grand Galloping Gala was mandatory to attend! I would ask Fluttershy, Rarity, Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie!!!! This will be the best night ever!!!!! “Hey Pinkie!!! Want to go to Gala with me???” I asked. “WAIT!!! DO YOU MEAN THE GRAND GALLOPING GALA???????” she screamed. “Yes! That one!!” I said. “YES!!!!!!!!” she screamed and walked away! “Hey Rarity!!!” I said. “Yes??” she asked. “Want to go to The Grand Galloping Gala??” I asked. “DO I??? OF COURSE!!!!!!” she screamed, grabbed her her ticket and ran away screaming! I walked up to Rainbow! “Hey want to go to the Gala with me?” I asked. “YES!!!!” She said and flew away. “Hey” I said to Fluttershy “Want to go to the Gala with me?” I asked. “Yes please.” she said happily! I gave her her ticket and put AppleJack’s ticket in her mail box! I went home and decided to call it a night! The next morning I woke up and decided to go to Canterlot for a short visit! I payed for my train ticket and hopped on a train. When I was riding the train I thought to myself, why is Celestia jealous of me? When I arrived at Canterlot I saw Luna waiting for me at the train station! I used my magic to disguise myself as a different unicorn. “Crystal, I know that is you!” Luna said. “What do you mean?? My name is…..Rarity??” I said. “Wow!!” She said and used her magic to turn me back. “Okay! You caught me!!!” I said. “What made you come back?” she said. “I needed to talk to you!” I replied. “Really? About what??” she asked. “About Celestia!” I said. “She wants you dead!” Luna said. “Really! But why did she invite me to the Gala?” I asked. “She wants to kill you there!!!!” she said. “Oh! But I promised my friends that I would go!!!!” I said. “Well! Go but stay away from Celestia!” she said. > The Letter > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I took the train back home and wondered if I really should go to the Gala. When I got home all my friends came to greet me! “Hi!!!” said Pinkie. “Howdy! I just got back!” said Apple Jack. “Why hello darling!” Rarity said. “Hey!” Rainbow Dash. “hi….welcome back.” Fluttershy said. “Hey Guys! I said. “Hey!” the all said together. “So how was Canterlot darling?” Rarity asked. “Yeah we can’t wait to go with you at the Gala!” Rainbow said. “Umm...about that….” I said Then everything came out of me! Everything about Celestia and how she wanted to kill me! “OH MY GOD!!” Rarity yelled. “I thought she was nice!” Rainbow said. “Yeah!” AppleJack agreed. “Umm...I thought everypony in this whole world was nice.” Fluttershy said. “Really?? Because most pony’s are not nice!” I said “WHY???” Fluttershy screamed and ran away in tears. “Well that was….interesting!” I said. “Yup!” everypony said. “Wait a second where did everypony come from?” I asked. “I may have invited a few ponies to come greet you!!!” Pinkie said. “AND THEY HEARD THE WHOLE THING!!!!” I said. “Well they might be one your side!!!!! You don’t know that!” Pinkie said. “Oh sure! They all love me! I bet they all are siding with Celestia!” I said “No! We all agree with you!”everypony said. A sudden thought came to me. What if everypony came to the gala with me?? Then Celestia would be forced to not kill me!!! “Hey!! I have extra tickets! Does anypony want to come to the gala with me?” I asked “YEAH!!!!!” all the ponies replied “Okay!!!!” I said I gave all the new ponies tickets and I headed for home. “Hey wait up!!” a purple unicorn said. “Ummmm….okay???” I said. “I am Twilight Sparkle” she said. “Oh!” I said nervously My heart stopped, I did not know that Twilight Sparkle would be here! I mean I was trying to escape Celestia!!! “Did I do anything wrong?” Twilight asked. “No, no, ummm...I am Crystal Charmer!” I said. “Hmmm…. I have heard that name somewhere! I just can’t remember where!” she said. “Well I better get heading home!!” I said. I ran off before she could say good bye. “bye??” I heard her say quietly I opened my door and found a note laying right in front of me. I slowly opened it I have got my eye on you. Celestia Oh Celestia! Why this time you are going to lose! I thought to myself. Then I decided to make dinner and just relax. After I ate dinner I found another note on my door. Oh great! Now Celestia is going to say that she wants to kill me!!! Dear Crystal Charmer, Hey Crystal! Do you remember me? Shining Armor?? My sister Twilight Sparkle said the met you today! I have not heard from you in such a long time!!! I finally found your address and I decided to write to you! I also heard that you are going to The Grand Galloping Gala! Love, Shining Armor Oh my god!!! SHINING ARMOR ACTUALLY WROTE TO ME!!! I had never felt so happy in my life! He had always been my crush and I always thought he liked Princess Cadence, but he wrote to me!!! He also signed off saying Love!!! My heart was so happy I almost could not go to sleep! Finally I forced myself to sleep telling myself that tomorrow was very big day. > The Battle > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINALLY THE GRAND GALLOPING GALA!!!! I was so excited. It was finally today! I ran to go see Rarity. “Why hello there! How may I help you?” Rarity asked. “I came to see if I could have a dress for the Gala?” I asked. “OOOHHH!!!! I have got the perfect dress! Come with me!” Rarity added. “Okay??” I said as I followed her. “Here it is! I think it looks lovely with your mane!” Rarity said. “I...LOVE IT!!!!!!” I said. “Great!!! Now go try it on!!!!” she said and shoved me into a changing room. I quickly put on the dress and I looked amazing in it! It had hearts all around it and it matched my cutie mark perfectly. I put my hair into a bun and walked out of the room. “OMG!!!! You look amazing!!” Rarity said. “I really like it! I am going to head to Canterlot early, so I will see you there!!!” I said. “Okay! I can’t wait for tonight!!!” Rarity said as she waved goodbye. I walked out of Carousel Boutique and got into a taxi. “Hello there! I am Carmel Apple” the taxi driver said. “Hey! I am Crystal Charmer! Can you take me to Canterlot?” I asked. “Sure thing!” Caramel Apple said. He ran all the way to Canterlot and when I got there I wondered why I was really here! I mean Celestia is going to try to kill me and I came EARLY? What was I thinking!!! I payed Caramel Apple and walked to Canterlot castle. Right when I was about to walk in I saw Luna. “CRYSTAL!!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?” she asked shocked. “I decided to come early! Sheesh!” I said. “Bad idea!! Celestia has ordered guards to kill you!” she said. “Yeah, she ALWAYS wants to kill me!” “But this time she might!” she said! “I convinced ALL of ponyville to fight with me!” I said. “What? Against Equestria’s army?? So many ponies will die!” she said. “Well how was I supposed to know that Celestia would try to kill me?” I asked. “I just want you to be safe!” Luna said. “Fine! I will go face Celestia alone!” I said and ran away. “CRYSTAL COME BACK!!!!! SHE HAS GOTTEN STRONGER!!!!!!” Luna yelled. I didn’t care what Luna had to say! I wanted to face Celestia alone! I do not want her to kill anypony else! I finally got to the royal castle, and I entered. “I was expecting you” Celestia said with a sly grin. “Oh really? Because I am going to beat you this time!” I said. “Last time you were the alicorn, but now it’s me!” Celestia replied. “You ruined my life! And I think you need to stop!” I said and the battle began. After a hour of fighting I lay on the floor with a blood pool around me. “This...is...not...over” I said and fainted. “Oh! I think it already is!” Celestia replied The End Of Book 1