Chapter 1: Return to the Crystal Empire

Pinkamena is reading as the group is doing what they do and Gold Wing was with Golden Moon. She says, "Hmm it seems Twilight Sparkle and Ben Mare are going to the Crystal Empire to help Princess Cadence."

That made Sombra's ears perk up in hearing the words 'Crystal Empire' and 'Cadance' as Golden heart says, "You think we should tag along with them for help?"

"Well maybe we can but sadly not this time?"

"Why's that sister?"

She sighs and says, "Well this is something a family needs to handle but maybe." Pinkamena looks at Omega while speaking. "Omega, I am tasking you to make sure things go well inform us if things go out of control and me, Goldie and Jack will be on our way."

Omega nods and heads off to do his task.

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The Sparkle Family took the next train to the Crystal Empire on a trip to visit Shining Armor and Princess Cadance. The princess called them, wishing in some help in some problems during the Crystal Empire ruling. The couple had ruled the place since the fall of King Sombra but even Cadance got a bit stressful.

"Well, we should be at the Crystal Empire very soon." Ben said, reading a magazine while looking up at to Twilight sitting with Nyx and Spike. Phobos is hanging from the luggage rack for some reason, other than just to be goofy.

"Oh! I can't wait to see my brother and sister-in-law again!" Twilight giggles happily, sitting the opposite of Ben. “This is going to be like an adventure we face the Tatzlwurm; Or maybe finding our little friend the Crystal Ghost.”

"Yeepy; who wouldn't," Spike sighs, recalling the two adventures that he wasn't involved in. "Best brother-sister relationship."

Nyx smiled while saying, "Can't wait to see them again. We're gonna have the best and fun day in our lives." The Alicorn filly sighed. "Too bad, our friends are not coming with us." The rest of the Mane Six as well as the CMC members decided to stay behind in Ponyville.

"Well, we let our guard down once; but not this time. That is why we need some ponies stay back, should the enemy show up." Twilight explains, nuzzling her daughter a bit. "Thanks to some unit and supply supports from Mystic Ponies on Land of Ma, we are safe and prepared for anything."

"Which makes me wonder...What is a Demon General?" Spike asks Twilight a bit worried since one of their last enemies Shredkiller is a Demon General.

Twilight hummed gently as she recalls, "If I remember correctly, that is the title of the most powerful warriors among the Empire, like Ultimate Mystic Warriors, Five Phoenix Warriors, Five Tiger Warrior and etc., etc. and etc. But Demon General...There's something new to me..."

"But those that mean...something evil and Demonic; Because Demon General sounded like monstrous and evil as Grimmore and his army." Nyx gulps a bit, worried. If the Demon Generals are horrible, she would hate to see Grimmore's Army.

"I think so... And I really wish there was a way to beat that monster. And Shredkiller won't be the only Demon General we had to face with. There could be some to deal with."

Spike gulped, "Not to mention their own elite army to deal with." The gang barely survived the last encounter. Who knows what the next one will be like?

Nyx giggled uneasily, "Let's not think about that. It gives me enough creepy, and especially mommy's double."

"Good point, Nyxie. I wonder how Shadow Dragon and Twilight Moon met. Was it after Iris Crystal's death?" Twilight ask in concern, pondering how Shadow Dragon first meet Twilight Moon.

"And how did Twilight Moon came to be? There's only one Twilight and she's sitting in front of me right now." Ben said to Twilight, making her smile a bit.

"Booooooooooring," Phobos exclaims, making the others frown at his comment. "Where's the food?"

"Really, Phobos;" Spike ask Phobos dryly. "Ruining a good moment?"

"Who said I am? I'm hungry!"

"Ugh, Phobos," Nyx remarked, laughing at her pet/best friend's behavior. Phobos is so silly.

It took a while but the gang arrives at the Crystal Empire's train station. Once the family got off, they are greeted by Crystal Ponies who bow to the visiting rulers and their family. Twilight and Ben are used to it by now, since they now rule Ponyville in the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom. The place gets more amazing each time that they visited.

Shining and Cadance has sent a carriage to pick Twilight and Ben's family up at the train station. Once they got on, they rode throughout the empire. It was amazing that the last time they were here is during the Equestrian Games. The Crystal Ponies are lucky. They almost lost one of their rulers, Cadance, due to an attack by Tirek. The family arrives at the castle where a certain brother of Twilight's is waiting for them up front.

As Ben, Twilight, Spike, Nyx and Phobos got out, the Alicorn giggles as she runs up to her brother, exclaiming, "Shining Armor!"

"Twiley," Shining exclaims as he hugged her. "I miss you, kid! It's been like forever!"

"Tell me about it." Twilight said with a chuckle. She then notices a worried look on her brother's face. Something's wrong. "What's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me?"

"I am, Twiley. It's someone that I'm worried about. Believe me, you know who is."

"Cadance got an issue in something?"

"Yup," Shining said with a concerned nod.

"Well, may as well see what's bugging my cousin." Ben said to Shining in concern. He wants to see if Cadance needs help if the Crystal Empire wants to continue on throughout the years.

"And get some food. I'm hungry!" Phobos exclaims impatiently.

"You just ate on the train." Spike points out to Phobos in irritation.

"So what's your point?"

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The scene opens to where we see one of the Apocalypse Ponies looking over a book, as she was trying to study its magic spell contents. And at the moment she stood up, she shook her head before letting down her hood for us to get a good view of what she looked like. A mare unicorn pony with dark sapphire blue coat, different from Twilight’s usual coat color while her mane & tail style are the same, except they are now brilliant phthalo blue along with a moderate Persian blue & light rose color form, strangely almost similar to Princess Luna’s Nightmare Moon form. And then there’s her eyes that have a moderate cyan with catlike irises, the very same eyes seen from Nightmare Moon (and from the Cult from Past Sins story) & having pointed edge ears. And on the flank of this pony was not of a star like the original Twilight Sparkle, it was instead the violet cloud blob with a light turquoise crescent moon that was only seen on Nightmare Moon. The Cutie Mark itself had two different form appearances, both different that reflected Luna’s good side and Nightmare Moon’s evil side, and this mark on this pony is clearly of the latter…for evil. So in basic conclusion, she may look like Twilight Sparkle, but her color scheme & appearance has a more direct looking appearance to Nightmare Moon (sorta) No matter how one looks at her, there is one thing we can tell, she is known as Ms. Moon, or T. Moon, or simply address by full name; as Twilight Moon.

“I must ask you of something.” Tso Lan appeared before the vessel he is in.

“And that would be?” Twilight Moon asked off in noticing Tso Lan’s presence.

“Why you choose the moment to reveal me and let those see your face?” Tso Lan question why the mare wanted the heroes to know about the Demon Lords being a part of the Apocalypse Ponies and let the heroes see the mare’s face that resembles Twilight Sparkle.

“For one thing, keeping it a secret that we have the Eight Demon Lords in eight of us as your vessels would have been learned sooner or later. But not to worry…The Superior informed us that a powerful spell was cast, so not even the strongest Mystic in the fields of spell casting, could undo it.” Twilight Moon explained things that the secret won’t need to be kept, at least about the Demon Lords, since now not even the best Mystics can reach the Eight Demon Lords’ bodies to recall their souls back.

“And the one who cast the spell was…?” Tso Lan asked in being curious of something else.

“He told us it was by Grimmore, he prepared a layer barrier that’s completely shrouded in mystery that it take a decade or a center for even a skill brainiac to solve it and force you all out of us.” Twilight Moon shrug off her shoulder that her leader said the Dark Elf made a spell to which the Demon Lords bodies are safe from Mystic Pony interference; but only for the bodies, if the souls in the vessels are set free, that maybe a different story.

“My, it seems that the Demon God shows such power even while being imprisoned himself,” Tso Lan spoke off to mention this that earn his attention now.

“Correct, that’s why I heard from Shadow Dragon, why he & Dark Curse do everything to be ahead of him and leave him in the dark as much as possible.” Twilight Moon stated in recalling some Dark Mystics plot about some case.

“How very unfortunate for you, compared to us Demon Lords, the Demon God himself is a 1000 times, if not more so beyond any creatures comprehension.” Tso Lan remotely issued that such planning is useless, since Grimmore cannot be measured or understood by any advance science. “Why do you think we who were known as the Demon Sorcerers had a means to escape of imprisonment while Grimmore’s was more secure,” He brought forth a question for the smart mare of the organization to figure out.

Twilight Moon was thinking the question, as it was a tricky one, but Tso Lan cut to the chase.

“It’s because compared to our great powers & terrible actions, the Overlord King of Tartarus is far worse for this world.” Tso Lan pointed out wisely about how Grimmore is more terrifying that even his Demon Siblings fear him. “He has gain powers the likes it was by a miracle, that there were those that could only seal him away, but not destroy him. He is too powerful to destroy, too terrible a foe to face, why do you think so many Mystics fail to achieve this while many join the Dark Elf in seeking to serve he who would change the world & those that serve a god, would be given such quenchful dark hearts.” He explained the contents of a history of why Grimmore is the top of the top, the worse among all evil creatures and how lesser beings wish to side with the Dark Elf for belief of a new world order or rebirth or whatever delusional facts they come up with.

“Who knows? For now, the second answer to your question is…To let them heroes second guess my existence.” Twilight Moon shrug off her shoulders to say while bringing up the next question on the topic.

“Would it not be because of the truth?” Tso Lan raised an eyebrow in pondering over the question.

“The truth, they don’t know or ever know. They can think I’m an evil clone, a pony whose face had plastic surgery, a creature of darkness whose appearance is base around Nightmare Moon & Twilight Sparkle. Those that know nothing will understand nothing…” Twilight Moon issued off to mention this statement that was mystically shrouded i shadow. “I’m the successor to my mistress, Nightmare Moon, who blessed me into being a member of the Cult to live in an Eternal night. But time grew on, night without sun slowly expiring the citizens while we prepared to live in eternal night by night lights & food & plants that grows from the darkness, we were already on the verge of losing hold.” She explained while recalling vague memories of another life that seem to be a world where Nightmare Moon ruled.

“I see, and tell me…whatever became of….YOUR Nightmare Moon?” Tso Lan spoke in becoming intrigue by this story thus spoken by far into the matter.

“She fell ill & weak so suddenly and knew that she needed to pass her power of darkness to a new ruler to her rule, I was most loyal & perfect student of Celestia, was chosen to rule in her place.” Twilight Moon explained her old history of how things became for her. “A ceremony took place, as Nightmare Moon performed a spell that let her entire self be essence to live forever in another to empower the one she deem worthy, and the fusion happened at that spot.” She spoke in recalling what the evil Nightmare Moon that she served faithfully to performed.

“So that would explain why, interesting subject around my own creation & method for Nightmare Moon; In short, you swallowed all of the dark evil power of your mistress, and thus the sudden power transformed you into a new power form.” Tso Lan spoke off intrigue, so this explains why Twilight Moon seems different from Twilight Sparkle, a fusion of Nightmare Moon is the same principle property that turn Princess Luna evil; how fiendishly wonderful.

“That was the day I went by a new identity as Twilight Moon, the ‘Corrupted Ex-Student’.” Twilight Moon raised her focus face in announcing who she became, as well as a title for herself.

“I see, so this is the tale of one…from an Alternate World, where Nightmare Moon had not lose and carried forth her intention.” Tso Lan stated out in learning the bits of learning of Twilight Moon’s knowledge & related powers of his once created darkness that was Nightmare Moon.

Twilight Moon sighed in knowing that she was by truth, a creature from an alternate world unlike Equestria Prime that she lives in and refers to. That would explain much of the riddles & confusions that she gave out to Twilight when they were fighting. But even at this time, none of the heroes of Equestria know the truth, and they won’t know until the FINAL confrontation against the Apocalypse Ponies, since it be meaningless to tell the goody-two-shoe Mane Six group this now.

“But even after taking charge for my departed mistress, I needed to find a new world to start fresh since my world was already dead, practically none of the other Children Of Nightmare Moon remain and I was left alone to rule a void kingdom.” Twilight Moon stated to knowing that she was alone and needed to find a new world to start fresh to rule a new kingdom of eternal night.

“But it was not meant to last forever, now was it?” Tso Lan pointed out that his vessel was not gonna be alone for long…

“No, for it wasn’t long before a magic portal appeared that I meant a mysterious character in a hooded cloak that wish I join an organization under the leadership of the one I know and follow…the Superior.” As Twilight Moon spoke, vague images of herself lonely show the Superior coming to her by a portal and inviting her to join his order. “Thus, I join rank with others that share a similarity to myself to conquer this place, from learning what became of this world’s Nightmare Moon.” She stated from learning much of what became of this Prime World that never fell to Nightmare Moon from this place.

“Destroyed & then revived, only to be good & lost to me.” Tso Lan stated with a gloom tone in knowing the facts.

“Not quite Tso Lan, I never mentioned this, but I found what was small remains of the dark essence of the once existed Nightmare Moon.” Twilight Moon made a sly statement, stating not ALL of the original Nightmare Moon was destroyed; she has collected some of it.

“You have? But I was told that Twilight Sparkle change her and she ride of her dark evil side forever.” Tso Lan spoke surprised, he thought after Twilight made Nyx realize she doesn’t have to be her old evil self, the filly that was in a mare’s body fought & destroyed that darken evil?

“She did, or thought so; I have other plans to use that surviving essence to serve the organization’s evil plans.” Twilight Moon explained off that she managed to find & collect any surviving essence fragment of the original evil of Nightmare Moon and will be put to use for an evil plot.

“Ah, at last…to learn this makes me joyous to learn….the last bit of my dark child is not completely gone good; I shall look forward to what you plan to do with it.” Tso Lan spoke very pleased to hear this, now at long last, his original creation, thought only a fracture and not Nyx herself, shall finally do what she was meant to do; and all from what Twilight Moon has plans for it.

“You will learn, in due time. When operation: Genesis is in full effect.” Twilight Moon explained that she can’t tell the guy just yet, that is a secret for a due date with destiny.

With that, the discussion was over that Tso Lan faded back in Twilight Moon’s body before the mare summoned a corridor of darkness to vanish out of sight. Seems like the little knowing of the evil Twilight is now up to speed, but we shouldn’t count our chicks before they hatch…evil plots are growing, and that’s for the future fate of Equestria….to later behold them.

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Shining took his family into the throne room. There's Cadance on her throne, looking a bit stressful. Twilight looked concerned. The last time she saw her sister-in-law looking like this was during the Crystal Empire's return. The Alicorn hoped that isn't the case this time.

"Auntie Cadance!" Nyx exclaimed, trotting over to nuzzling her aunt by the leg.

"Hey, guys..." Cadance said as she got up and trotted onward with Nyx to the others.

"Cadance! Are you all right?" Twilight asked Cadance worried. "Wow! You haven't been sleeping in days. What happened?"

Cadance sighed, "It's not really a big deal, Twiley; Just needed to deal with some public issues, signing autographs and sometimes, a visit from another country." The Alicorn of Love groaned and moaned. "I'm so tired..."

"Maybe I could help out. After all, we're family." Twilight offered Cadance with a smile. Maybe with help from her, Ben, Nyx and the Dragons, the pink Alicorn can recover in no time!

"Thanks, Twilight. You are the best filly that I can trust and count on." Cadance said as she breathed lightly with Twilight, which both had done to calm themselves. "The sooner we are done with some problems, the sooner we can have some fun."

"Alright! And this time, nothing could ruin us!" Shining exclaimed with a smile, thinking that nothing can go wrong with Twilight and her family here.

"Your highness," A Crystal Pony Messenger exclaimed as he came into the throne room.

"Spoke too soon!" Phobos exclaimed in amusement.

"What is it?" Shining asked the messenger, pondering what he wants.

"Well, two messages for you, sir. One of them is a visitor from the Mystic Realm...and the other, Cadance, is a message from your family...the ones that aren't here in the throne room right now." The messenger explained, making Cadance's eyes widen in shock. "They're coming today."

"WHAT?! Oh no! One visit from Mystic Realm or Country is one thing. But my family; WHY," Cadance screamed out in shock and horror.

"Huh?" Nyx asked in confusion.

"What do you mean?" Ben asked his cousin in concern, "Who's visiting?"

"My parents," Cadance said with a sigh while shaking her head.

"You have parents, Auntie Cadance?" Nyx asked in surprise.

"You told me you were adopted." Twilight reminded her cousin. It's true.

Cadance wasn't really Celestia's niece. Many, MANY years ago, the Alicorn started out as a young Pegasus filly whose was taken in from a nearby village by two Earth Ponies, who raised her as their filly. Twilight is surprised to hear this new information.

"I am...and they are the same Earth Ponies." Cadance explained to her sister-in-law. "You see, a while later after I became an Alicorn Princess and finding the Crystal Heart Spell, I've learned that while Alicorns don't age, other ponies do. I loved my parents even if they adopted me and couldn't bear to see them die. So I asked Princess Celestia if she could make them both Alicorns."

"So what did she say?" Spike asked Cadance, wondering what the answer is.

"Well, my adopted auntie went to see them and asked them if they would to be Alicorns, to spend time with me for as long as they could live." Cadance said with a gentle smile. "They said yes and so, Auntie Celestia made them both Alicorns who are still living today."

"Great! Then a visit from them can't be bad, right?" Nyx asked with a smile.

"They lived in a mansion in Canterlot. After Shining and I came to power, I asked them to move to the Crystal Empire to be closer to us. They did...and moved their mansion which you could see from the balcony." Cadance explained as she and the family headed to the balcony.

Cadance pointed to the distance. Twilight's family squinted a bit before they saw a mansion that wasn't crystal like everything else. Come to think of it, they did see it a few times, but didn't give thought to it until now.

"You mean that's where your parents live?" Twilight asked, "This mansion that hasn't been crystallized?"

"That's right, Twilight." Cadance replied with a nod.

"So what are their names?" Spike asked Cadance curiously.

"Their names are Lord Chester and Lady Lesille." Cadance explained, introducing the names to Spike.

"Oh...I remember hearing the name of 'Lord Chester' back when I took over as Nightmare Moon. Nexus wanted him to be part of our Blessing...but Lord Chester stubbornly refused to go, even sending the defenses against anyone who comes near the mansion. Eventually, after a while of that madness, I decided it was best to just leave him alone." Nyx said, recalling Lord Chester back when she was Nightmare Moon during her takeover of Equestria.

"Well, good thing you didn't recruit him." Phobos remarked in amusement. "Hate to see whatever talents Lord Chester got fall in the wrong claws or hooves."

"Nowadays, my dad is kinda like a mad scientist, doing work in his lab on experiments and machinery." Cadance explained to the others. "Sometimes, Shining would call him in to help find ways to make the Crystal Empire adapt to the modern days."

"Oh yeah, that reminds me: that's why he sent the message, it must be a respond of my request for him and Lady Lesille to come over." Shining said, recalling a request for Cadance's parents to come over which what the other message must be about.

Cadance looked worried. Twilight, noticing, pat her on the back, saying, "It's okay. It should be great to see your parents again."

"Whoever the visitors from Mystic Realm are, I hope their visit's friendly and kindly." Shining said, thinking back to the visitors from the Mystic Realm. "Cadance can't stand the critics and harsh stuff."

"Bashers again," Twilight asked Shining and Cadance dryly. The princesses have been getting nasty critics with bad attitude problems lately.

Cadance shook her head, explaining, "Actually, I met a Mystic Pegasus. He was an Ultimate Mystic Warrior. He was supposed to check on my Crystal Empire's security. He said it was great and good. But..."

Shining groaned angrily, "He called Cadance a weakling; who the hay does that Ultimate Mystic Warrior think he is?!"

"Who was he?" Twilight asked Shining. What kind of Mystic Pony would even think of criticizing Cadance like that?

"His name is Nezha. Trust me, he was no friendly pony. He doesn't care if I was a merciful and caring pony." Cadance explained with a big frown on her face. "Only he cares for fighting and challenging enemies."

"There's a legend, Twiley. He challenged a Wielder of Triforce Element." Shining explained seriously to Twilight. "And this one was an Ultimate Mystic Warrior."

"What happened to him?" Twilight asked in concern.

"No one knows. But Twiley, if you meet with this tough guy, make sure Ben doesn't challenge him. Trust me, I've seen his eyes. He's no ordinary pony." Shining warned Twilight of the consequences of Ben even challenging this Nezha.

"Relax; I will make sure to stay clear of him." Ben said to Shining with a chuckle. "For now, let's focus on the visits and hope they can be a success so that we could help Cadance out with her stressful problems."

“So Twilight, I heard you got some things after you and everyone had problems with Boris?” Shining Armor asked this question right off the bat that was something he was curious about.

“Yeah, Mystic Andrew gave mommy and my aunts some interesting stuff.” Nyx nods off to say about what they got out of that.

“But they prove to be more….problematic than you think.” Phobos rolled his eyes in stating that their new goodies came with problem issues.

“Such as,” Shining Armor raised an eyebrow in not following this.

“Well Pinkie Pie tried hers and…” Twilight slowly spoke in how to explain the matter, starting with one pony in particular.

The scene shifts to where Pinkie Pie tried her new Mega Party Cannon, but she tried the missile feature and it fired too many that she wasn’t counting on that surprise. Or the surprise when those missiles exploded near some spots that luckily, no pony was hurt, but it wreck and made a lot of damages with upset eyes glaring at her.

“Oops.” Pinkie Pie sheepishly said in seeing that was a boo-boo on her part, BIG TIME!

“She’s needing more training for that. And then Rainbow tried hers….” Twilight stated off in what happened that her friend needs some help.

Scene shows Rainbow Dash trying her new spear function of the Mystic Magical Nunchucks, she was teasing to swinging it a bit. But when she threw it without taking careful notice, it went to her theme park, busted a few holding bars, causing lots of the rides to come tumbling down.

“Ahhhhhh! MY THEMEPARK,” Rainbow Dash screamed out in staring in what she did, she wreck her entire theme park, and from tat one misuse of a spear throw.

“She knew how to handle nunchucks & handle a barrel cannon, but spearmenship seems new that she hasn’t gotten it. Applejack’s new lasso, well…” Twilight explained how Rainbow needed practice, but then when it came to AJ.

Scene shows AJ was trying her new Min Whiplash out in wanting to lasso a tough bull that was nearby. Course the lasso whip ended up tying her up, much to her surprise instead of the bull that was supposed to be tough to catch, not the cow pony.

“Darn-gone-itl Ah was wantin’ ta tussle up a tough doggy, Ah didn’t mean MAH SELF!” Applejack protest to complain in what she was trying to do here.

“Her Mind Whiplash lives to its name, it has a mind to wild on its own. And Rarity….” Twilight stated out the problem before moving along to another friend.

Scene shows Rarity in her home, as she was trying to take aim at some awfully ruin dress with her Gatling Eternal Blaster. But from her figure & lady-like appearance, the job was much tougher to hold such arsenal that she couldn’t control it and they were firing all over, even against her outfits.

“AHHHH; I said to aim at the horrible ruin outfits, not ruin the GOOD ones too!” Rarity is heard screaming from where we see her shock face in the destruction she caused in her own home.

“She knows how to use gemstones with her Eternal Style, but giving her a halting blaster weapon with her high-society lady persona seemed WAY off! And Fluttershy, she…had more problems.” Twilight pointed out a matter of what happened that was out of a simple glamour mare’s use of the gemstones, and then came their shy friend.

Scene shows Fluttershy’s cottage, unit la beam blast busted a wall and then came the animals running scared. Fluttershy was seen using her Optic Crystal Blast, and from its look on her, she seem scary that made the animals run away, much to her worries.

“No wait! Come back my animal friends! I’m sorry; I wasn’t prepared for that use!” Fluttershy was heard coming out in seeing what she done, she frighten her fuzzy animal buddies from that last act; she didn’t mean it, it was an accident.

“Cough! Ye may wanna ask the MOOK that gave yah such things without INSTRUCTS to using them, Fluttershy.” Iago coughs from nearby from looking almost burn himself that Fluttershy’s new thing, needs some instructions to use it.

“Fluttershy was not ready for that kinda power that frightened her animals away & blew a part of her home.” Twilight explained how such an act made Fluttershy very worried.

“And you Twilight?” Shining Armor asked in wondering what his sister did with her own gift.

“Um,” Twilight hesitated in really not wanting to say.

Scene shows Twilight as she was trying her new Star Sparkle Sword, but since it was not magically connected to her, when she let go, the weapon was toss against her castle home. It slice through the walls and made the mare yelp at the destruction of that AD the new LIBRARY SECTION! And Twilight felt that it was kinda….surprising, especially when it sparks a few shooting star beams, now that made things harder.

“The Star Sparkle Sword was nice, but I seem more comfy around trying to summon the StarBlade.” Twilight explained the issue in what happened that she had to state a fact. “After we all had problems, Discord repaired the damages, and then helped to fuse the Mystic items Andrew gave us with our own Equestrian base items, so that slowly, they evolve where we can handle it.” The alicorn mare explained that after cleaning up their mess, they all had those powerful Mystic Weapons fuse into their own Equestrian weapon stuff.

“Twilight’s right, Andrew meant well, but he gave some really complicated & strong Mystic items he got from his thieving days to a couple of rookie Equestrians. If I didn’t have the Triforce of Wisdom to help guide me to use my own weapons & items, I have a hard time using them too.” Ben nods in agreement, giving some incredible power to those that have not even the level or the Mystic magic to follow might have a hard time controlling such things, so the fused part seem more in allowing them to use their weaponry at best while it grows and they get stronger.

“So if Discord fused those Mystic weapons with your own, then what about Twily? I heard she has a hard time keeping her knew awaken weapon in physical form?” Shining Armor asked this question out in being curious of something.

“Well from that fuse spell by Discord, it’s a little more better; Observe.” Twilight stated in what she could do here, show her brother & those what Discord did with the Mystic Weapons from a fusion of her own. “Poofruvhmmm…” Then appearing as a magic violet/pinkish color of aura energy, a form of a silver guard with a handle, a hilt, & a head at the end of the end of the shaft that resembles a star like Twilight’s Cutie Mark, and even in the handle center was a star mark too; There was a light blue lining design over the structure, but as far as it showed, it was still trying to keep it’s form as Twilight grasp it and felt a difference while everyone was amazed in what they saw. “The fused Star Sparkle Sword has helped allow my StarBlade to be more physical to last, but it still needs time for me to perfect it to awaken its full use. Hopefully I can against Twilight Moon, if she ever returns.” As she explained all this, she made her StarBlade vanish, but at the very least, she’s getting better.

“Right, we don’t know how the Superior found her or why she looks like Twilight. She could have used a spell to make her look like Twilight to just freak us out.” Spike nods to agree while their concerns were that Ms. Moon who looked like his pal.

“Well she did a good job on that.” Phobos stated how T. Moon freaked them out.

“We know about her, Warring Malice and the Superior, there are still ten other Apocalypse Ponies we don’t know yet.” Nyx stated out how they only know three out of thirteen of the members that includes the Superior.

“Something tells me kiddo, we’ll learn eventually. But let’s forget all the negative stuff, after all….your visit isn’t because of that, right?” Shining Armor stated tis off while suggesting they not let it get them down.

The others nodded in agreement, this is about helping Candace with her own problems, not their own. Besides, the gang already solved the issue about the new gear & weapons, and the matter about the new enemies can always be done later. Right now, an important friend & family member needs their full attention.

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The Royal Family wait in the throne room for the visitors from the Mystic Realm to come in. And sure enough, five Mystic Ponies come into the room.

One of them is Iron Brave, a grayish pony at his 30s with his short brown beard, a spiky short brown mane and tail, he wore a sharped metal helmet on his head, and a metal armor with a greenish and cyan mixed cape, his Cutie Mark was a metal sword with fire. The second is Frozen Sage, a white Unicorn mare with a white gentle mane and tail, she wore green armor and a headwear and her Cutie Mark is a long sword, shield and a giant ice crystal-like; the third Mystic Pony is Princess Icy, a white Unicorn with a blond mane and tail in a braided and her Cutie Mark was an Ice Crystal and Sword; the fourth Mystic Pony is Royal Solflare, a light purple Pegasus with a dark purple mane and tail in a ponytail and her Cutie Mark was Blazing Fire and Freezing Ice; And finally, there's Stormwar, a grayish armored of purplish Earth Pony with a brown short mane and tail and her Cutie Mark was a Lightning Shape and Sword.

Cadance bows, saying, "Iron Brave, it's a honor for you and your fellow Mystic Ponies to step forth in the Crystal Empire."

"Geetings, mortals," Iron Brave said roughly. "The name's Iron Brave, the Mystic Councilpony of Steel and Metal."

Frozen Sage grins as she spoke, "I am Frozen Sage, the Mystic Councilpony of Ice and Guardian of Crystal Empire."

"My name is Icy. Frozen's daughter," Icy said to Cadance with a bow.

"Royal Solflare; Call me Sol. And I don't want any kind of royal outfit." Royal Solflare said with a scoff.

"I am Stormwar!" Stormwar booms loudly.

"It's an honor to meet you all." Cadance said with a giggle. She motions to the others. "Allow me to introduce the rest of my family. "This is my husband Shining Armor."

"Hey there," Shining said, waving a hoof to the newcomers.

"My cousin Ben Mare and my sister in law, Princess Twilight Sparkle."

"Hey, good to meet you all," Ben exclaims, putting a foreleg around Twilight.

Twilight motions to the rest as she speak, "Let me introduce my own kids; my daughter Nyx, my little assistant/brother/son Spike, and Nyx's pet Dragon Phobos."

"Hey there," Nyx and Spike exclaims with smiles.

"Whoa, you're cold!" Phobos exclaims, shivering while going near Icy. She is cold!

"Very interesting; so, you are the saviors of Crystal Empire, along with the Dragon." Frozen Sage said, ignoring the comment towards Icy. "I would like to see what you had been capable of, Princess Cadance and Princess Twilight. And I expect no less from you two girls."

"Thank you." The princesses said, bowing to Frozen Sage with smiles.

"Okay, careful, dearie." A voice said outside, much to the notice of everyone else. Cadance gulps a bit, recognizing the voice.

"Remember Chester. Be polite and try to give them a chance." A female voice said calmly to the first.

"Look! I am going to do that. I just want to know what that incompetent son-in-law of mine wants!"

Shining groans as two ponies came into the room. One of them is Alicorn with a black like mane, a short black tail, a pink coat, black sunglasses, gloves on his upper forelegs, a white lab coat over a black shirt, red pants, and has a royal symbol for a cutie mark. The Alicorn himself also has a black like beard. What's surprised Nyx and Spike is that he's in a wheelchair being pushed by another pony.

The other pony is a female dark Alicorn with pink fur. Her mane is short and red, as is her tail. The mare is wearing a white dress and a pearl necklace while having a farming like cute mark.

"Mother, father," Cadance said, coming over and hugging her mother.

"Cadance, it's great to see you again, dear." Lady Lesille said with a giggle. "Chester?"

"Yes, good to see you too, Cadance...and who are the rest?" Lord Chester asks curiously, glancing at the Sparkle family.

"Uh, I am Cadance's adopted cousin." Ben explains awkwardly to Lord Chester. "This is my filly friend Twilight who is Cadance's sister-in-law, Twilight's daughter Nyx and the Dragons Spike and Phobos."

"Which makes us your in-laws," Nyx chirps to Lord Chester.

"Yes, I see. Now where's that incompetent son-in-law of mine?" Lord Chester ask impatiently, making Shining groan as he trots on over. "Ah, there you are. What is it you summoned me for?"

"This." Shining said, using his magic to bring out blueprints for some huge lamp posts. "It's part of a security system which, when made, can zap out any kind of enemies. I also got plans for the Crystal Ponies to get access to phone lines and the internet."

"Hmmm, their construction can be complicated...but nothing I can't handle, they are easy to make. Yes, I will get to them at once."

As Lord Chester takes the blueprints and plans from Shining, Spike glances at the wheelchair, asking, "Geez, what happened to your back legs?"

"Spike, sssh," Twilight shush Spike sternly. "That's rude."

"Bah, it's okay. I was doing an experiment that backfired when it happened." Lord Chester explains to Twilight sternly. "I used a wheelchair since."

"I still say you should've used magic to heal your legs, dear." Lady Lesille said to her husband calmly. "Then you wouldn't need my help in getting you around."

"Bah! I never used magic in my life and I got no intention of doing so now! We're done here. I'm heading back to my lab!"

As Lord Chester turns his wheelchair around and prepares to depart, a worried Cadance gallops over, saying, "Daddy. You just got here. Don't you want to stay around? Speak, have tea, I mean, spend family time?"

"Science and security cannot wait, Cadance, not even in these times." Lord Chester snaps to his adopted daughter, making her sad. "Your mother can stay behind if she wants. I can get back on my own."

"No, no. No need to endanger yourself, Chester." Lady Lesille said as she quickly heads over to help her husband out of the room, "Sorry, Cadance. Maybe once I escort your father back..."

"It's okay, mother, really." Cadance said sadly while sitting down a bit in gloom. "I know daddy got important work to do..."

Lady Lesille nods in sadness, obviously knowing what her husband is thinking. She pushes Lord Chester out of the room to head back to the mansion to get to work on what Shining requested him to do.

"'Incompetent'," Twilight ask her brother, disbelief by what Lord Chester called him.

"He got a grumpy view of me." Shining groans to Twilight in embarrassment.

"Well, shall we begin with helping you out, Cadance?"

Ben notices Cadance shedding tears a bit, making him concerned. Something tells the Earth Pony that it isn't the duties that his cousin is being upset or stressful...

It's her father.

Chapter 2: Points of Views

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Chapter 2: Points of Views

Meanwhile in Ponyville at Sweet Apple Acre, a large space where five mares were seen, along with them was Flare Tiger. The mare walked calmly with a smile to see how they're doing with their new weapons. Flare Tiger was able remember due to the time of Twilight Sparkle and her family leaving, the Mane Five decided to pay a visit to Flare Tiger and asked her to see if she familiar with those new weapons. To their surprise, Flare Tiger admit that she was familiar with them. They begged her to teach them as they’re wanting to learn how to hold them with positivity and Flare Tiger agreed. For the past few days, Flare Tiger noticed how they're starting to hold them and she could see that they're able to learn and will eventually succeed. Until the evening, they decided to call it a day as they're walking back to Applejack's house.

Rarity sighed, "Daring, I'm worried for Twilight..."

Applejack groaned, "Ah agreed, but tis had 'ta stay behind an' protect Ponyville in case o' trouble."

Pinkie Pie gasped, "What if we could sent Flare Tiger over to Crystal Empire?"

They stared at Pinkie Pie with confusion as she giggled, "I just got twitches which tell me that's somepony had stress over family! I did remember that Twilight still hold her new weapon but didn't get full control yet!"

Rainbow Dash hummed, "Mm... I think you got a point but who will take her place?"

Pinkie Pie smiled while explaining, "Us! Why not? Flare Tiger did work with everything, now all she's doing is sitting and nothing when she's waiting for other problems come in! She needs to take some weeks break from her work! I bet she might know about Family problems on a thing or two!"

Applejack shocked spoke, "Wait minute, all duties that's she’s being covering was...."

Fluttershy smiled while responding, "Yes, I saw what's happening. I never see many ponies resting and being happy. Everything she's done for us pay off..."

Rarity smiled and agrees, "Daring, I admit, I agreed with Fluttershy. Ponyville got a lot of damages which Flare Tiger decided to cover any damages bills."

Rainbow Dash asked, "So anypony agreed with this, said aye?"

They respond, "Aye."

At the gate, Flare Tiger was about to leave when she heard somepony calling her name. Flare Tiger turned around and saw the Mane Five trotting up to Flare Tiger.

Flare Tiger smiled while asking her friends, "Is there something wrong?"

Pinkie Pie giggled, "None!"

Applejack smiled while explaining, "Tis decide 'dat's ya need 'ta take a few weeks break fro' ya' working!"

Flare Tiger gasped, "Really? Then..."

Rarity grinned while existing, "Daring, we wouldn't taken no for this. We will take cover for you."

Rainbow Dash nodded while adding, "Yeah! You did cover everything what's we're done with the damages! So you need take it easily!"

Flare Tiger snorted, "So, it can't be help, then Ah agreed that Ah need it."

Fluttershy asked, "Wouldn't you not mind that you need take your children to the Crystal Empire?"

Flare Tiger nodded as she answers, "Ah would love to, however, for mah daughter, Iris Heart Shield; she prefer to stay behind for a few reasons. Remember?"

They nodded as they did remember about out-casts who're different from the other. Flare Tiger smiled with proudness when she noticed Pinkie Pie bouncing toward to her. Flare Tiger lead her ear to the pink pony as Pinkie Pie whisper, "You are needed in the Crystal Empire, about the Family's problems, think you can do it?" Flare Tiger grinned when she looked at Pinkie Pie with a nod. The mare wave farewell to the Mane Five as she trotted away.

-----------------

While the princesses are working on getting their new guests settled for now, Ben settled to check in on an old pal of his who is on guard duty. And as usual, he and Flash are always glad to see each other.

"Well, well, look who just came by." Flash said with a smirk to the approaching Ben.

Ben laughs as he and Flash hugs one another, "Flash! Hey buddy! Long time no see!

Flash chuckled, "You've got that right. Mind if I join your crew?"

"Be my guess. So, what the heck are you up to? Hoping to gain another rank of military?"

Flash scoffed before he chuckled happily, "Not exactly."

"More trouble again?" Ben ask, arching an eyebrow, wondering what Flash has got himself into now.

"What can I say? Helping friends is way important than just following orders. And trust me, I've been doing that for a good reason since the day you and I became best friends."

"Hey! Watch it! I had my own reason to do that."

Flash chuckles, taunting Ben, "Like helping friends? I remember the day you've got some issues in going to the End of Equestria; Chicken Ben."

"Watch it before I'm gonna pound you on that one." Ben snaps to Flash playfully while looking like he's getting annoyed.

Flash chuckled, patting Ben on the back while saying, "Chill. It's just a joke. Do you think I'm dumb?" Ben shook his head. Both of them laughed. "By the way, Ben, I've heard some rumors that Shadow Dragon has a wife... She was Twilight's double?"

"Yeah...It's strange, don't you think? Like where did she come from? And more importantly, how did Shadow Dragon met Twilight Moon?"

"Sure wish I had the answer. But I can tell you one thing, buddy. Whoever she was, she is no friendly or ordinary pony."

"Yeah...She has Tso Lan, Shadow Dragon's training and not to mention Nightmare Moon's Magic." Ben said with a shudder. With a nasty member in the Apocalypse Ponies like that, Twilight Moon may be the strongest next to the Superior! "Yet... I felt something... dark and evil within her. I had never felt that before in my life."

"We'll find out soon enough. One step at a time," Flash said as he and Ben heads off to find the others.

The two stallions reunite with Twilight's group, showing off a Crystal Heart which is on display next to the statue, showing the magnificent of Cadance. Frozen Sage looks at it, one must ponder if the mare is impressed or not.

"As you can see, Frozen Sage, we are able to keep the Crystal Empire moving after King Sombra's fall." Cadance explains with a smile to Frozen Sage. The Alicorn pretends not to be saddened as she adds, "My father is doing his best to help adapt the kingdom to the modern age while we're improving our defenses."

"Tell me, Cadance, what is your view on stallions like Shining Armor and Lord Chester?" Frozen Sage asks Cadance in a cold matter. The others looks concerned, most of them anyway. When did this topic came in?

"Well, Shining is the best husband I can ask for...and daddy...well...he is doing his best. Before I continue, why do you ask?"

"To me, they are excusable, dishonorable and unworthy stallions, even Dragons."

"Wait, what?!" Ben asks as he, Shining and the Dragons look stunned by Frozen Sage's words. "Hang on! That's not true!"

"Right, we have proven our honor and worthy every day, Frozen Sage!" Shining snapped, agreeing with his cousin-in-law.

"Right, I mean, yeah Phobos is lazy, but I have helped save the day a few times myself!" Spike exclaims angrily.

"What he said...HEY!" Phobos exclaims, realizing that Spike just called him 'lazy'.

Cadance gasped to Frozen Sage, "Why?"

Frozen Sage just scoffs as she continues, "They have no feelings or loves for mares, just use them as their own interests and lusts. And sometimes they pushed mares aside like they never exists in their lives again. I believe a perfect example for you to listen was Boris's lusting for Twilight Sparkle."

"Look, Boris may be a perfect example of that but he isn't like the other stallions!" Twilight exclaims to Frozen Sage upset.

"Right; Daddy loves mommy without a hint of lust, loving her for who she is, not for what she is!" Nyx exclaims in agreement with her mother.

"And so is my husband." Cadance exclaims in agreement.

"Even a boy like Ben had feelings for Twilight Sparkle or Shining Armor for you, Cadance, they're weak and cowards. They can't even stand up to the challenge." Frozen Sage said bitterly.

"Hey! You take that back!" Ben and Shining exclaims furiously.

"Right, you're only a guest here, Frozen Sage!" Twilight exclaims furiously at Frozen Sage. Who does this mare think she is anyway?! "Ben loves me and can always stand up to the challenge ever since he came out of his shy shell!"

"Yes, so is Shining as well!" Cadance exclaims with a stern nod. "Twilight and I love those boys!"

"Yes, it's true that you had someone you love. It doesn't mean they are good and worthy. Simple question remained, princesses, can you really depend on them?" Frozen Sage ask the girls, making them shocked and upset by the choice of words. How can she even say that? "You don't. Can we proceed with this tour; and I would like to see how strong your army was."

Some of the boys and all of the new visitors, except Frozen Sage, stay behind, looking upset by what Frozen Sage just said. There's no way in Tartarus that she is saying is true!

The mares took Frozen Sage into a training hall where the soldiers are training to defend the Crystal Empire. The icy mare looks at the stallions, not impressed at all. She still thinks that they are useless and pathetic.

As they wait, an Alicorn cyborg robot comes through an opened window. Twilight knows who it is as she ask, "Omega, what brings you here and where's Goldie and others?"

"Pinkamena did not want to come because she knows it's a family matter going on here but I was sent to make sure things go well and smooth and report back all I gain." Omega explains. "I will not be in your way. I will only watch unless I need to take action so for now I will just observe things."

He does a light kneel and then gets up and walks a bit, beginning his observing. Twilight looks worried as Cadance is getting more stressful.

Twilight doesn't know if it's Frozen Sage's nasty words about stallions or Lord Chester that could be the main problem.

-----------

"Awww that's so very sad," Pinkamena said, getting a report from Omega at her home.

"What is?" Golden Heart asks his sister, noticing the sad look on her face.

"It hurts my heart that Cadance's father does not care for her and does his pointless experiments for whatever reason but anyway Omega says all is doing ok; no threats."

They nod and hope for the best that nothing goes wrong.

------------

Back behind, the boys look upset. Ben groaned, "Can you believe that mare?"

"I agree. I mean, she has the right to her opinion, but what she said borders on being a boy hater!" Spike complained angrily to Ben.

"It's like the previous Mystic Pony visit all over again!" Shining growled in frustration.

Iron Brave sighed, shaking his head while speaking, "I had the feeling that it's gonna happen again. Man, she really needs to let it go."

"If she talks that way about us again, I'd like to claw her face to show her who's 'inexcusable, dishonorable and unworthy'!" Spike snarled angrily as he flexed his claws.

"Right, what is up with her anyway?" Phobos asked the Mystic Ponies upset.

"You had to forgive my mother. She wasn't happy with stallions lately." Icy said, knowing that the male genders need to understand what her mother is acting this way. "It happened long ago. It was before Solflare and my birth, and the Fall of Crystal Empire."

"Wait, she was involved with what happened with Sombra as well?" Ben asked Icy curiously and concerned.

"Let's start with our mother's story." Sol said as she and Icy began telling a story of what changed her mother for the worst.

Flashback

20 B.E., a younger version of Frozen Sage bowed before her Mystic Councilpony of Ice. She was with white and cyan mixed armored ponies battling fighting against their enemies. She wields a long icy and frozen sword-like and hardened and armored shield as she fought against hundreds of Demons and monsters, even stallions.

Sol narrated, "Our mother was a proud warrior, working and serving under the first Mystic Councilpony of Ice. She was known to be the best and mighty warrior, who feared no death and show no mercy to any stallion and enemy of hers. She wields her most powerful weapon called 'Elegant Ice Sword' and 'Frozen Shield'. And she was the Wielder of Element of Snow and Element of Ice."

Stormwar and Frozen Sage met at the training hall. They both trained and helped each other, while battling and fighting against their enemies.

Stormwar narrated next, "At that time, I met their mother. And I saw so much potential within her. I swore in helping, defending and protecting her as her trusted bodyguard and Second-in-Command."

She stood on top of the mountain, controlling the weather, Ice and winter across the Equestria skies, while she wielded both of her Elegant Ice Sword and Frozen Shield.

Sol continued the narration, "She was known as 'Queen of Frozen' or 'Wizard of Ice' because of her beauty and powers."

She met a black Unicorn with grayish curved horn. They both chatted happily and talked, as well as having fun together. They looked at each other smiling in happiness as if they were in love. They kissed together happily and passionately on the bed.

Both Sir Han and Frozen Sage held Royal Solflare, their greatest joy and treasure.

"She met a black Unicorn named Sir Han. They both chatted happily and talking. And that day, I was born..."

Jade Emperor and his Mystic Council assigned her to the Crystal Empire as its guardian and protector. Frozen Sage nodded and bowed before them, willing to take on such a task.

At the Crystal Empire, Frozen Sage helped and taught most of the stallions and mares to be happy and caring ponies, as well as training them to be strong and brave soldiers.

Icy entered the story, "Our mother was placed in charge of defending the Crystal Empire as its protector and guardian. She trained and helped the Empire, as well as their rulers."

At the Crystal Empire, Frozen Sage and Sir Han kissed passionately and happily on their beds in its room. It looked like it will last before. Sadly, that's not the case.

Icy narrated sadly, "Mother and Sir Han were together and happy until..."

Sol continued the next part in sadness as well, "He betrayed her. He helped King Sombra by stealing both her Elegant Ice Sword and Frozen Shield."

Frozen Sage cried and sobbed in anger and pain. 10-years-old Solflare gasped in shock before she cried in upset. Her mother has been betrayed by the stallion that Frozen Sage thought she loved.

"Therefore, she and Equestria allies took upon a battle against King Sombra and Sir Han."

The battle of the Crystal Empire rages on. The Royal Sisters, in their armor and with weapons, invade to attack Sombra to stop once and for all, showing a rare appearance of another monster that will be a terrible of Equestria.

Frozen Sage, using her other sword, killed most of King Sombra's Guards to the death while climbing to the top. Stormwar followed and protected her in helping and defeating them.

Reaching to the top, Frozen Sage held her sword, aiming at Sir Han, who held both Elegant Iced Sword and Frozen Shield. Both Frozen Sage and Sir Han fought and battled against each other in swinging their swords and blades at each other. Using powerful energy of ice powers, Frozen Sage blasted the diamond-shaped ice at Sir Han's chest before she swung her blade on Sir Han's chest hard and tight. He fell to the ground.

Stormwar took both Elegant Ice Sword and Frozen Shield, and passed them to Frozen Sage. The once happy mare took them while looking at the dead body of Sir Han. The walls shake, as well as its city. Frozen Sage and Stormwar quickly escaped the battlefield.

The Royal Sisters manages to send in all their magic, causing Sombra to scream as he was banished and defeated...but not before he cursed the Crystal Empire, causing it to vanish from sight for who knows how long.

Stormwar continued with the story, "The battle was won, and especially for our mother in getting her Elegant Ice Sword and Frozen Shield back. But the price had to be paid, my father was killed and the Crystal Empire...."

Frozen Sage stood before the Mystic Council, accepting her punishment yet gaining her new position as Mystic Councilpony of Ice in the progress.

"Despite our mother's failure, Frozen Sage promised them that she will not let it happen again. Couple of days later, the former Mystic Councilpony had passed on. Frozen Sage took over her former leader's place."

Frozen Sage spoke with armored mares about a new order and a new law on her home. What happened before, the cold-hearted mare isn't going to let happen again.

Solflare continues onward with the story, "Mother had changed the laws of her kingdom. She recruited, built and trained her army and citizens, which was filled with only Mares and fillies. No stallions. No colts. Mother was too angered and pained to forgive them."

Frozen Sage stood before the Mystic Crystal at the Shrine of Mystic. She held a crystallized foal in front of it. The Mystic Crystal glowed and shone brightly in coloring rainbow. It blasted at the crystallized foal, slowly transforming it into a female foal. She cried loudly and happily. Frozen Sage breathed deeply, held a baby towards her tightly.

Icy ended the story, "That time... After Princess Luna's banishment, I was born."

Flashback ends

The stallions and Dragons listen to the story, bewildered yet stunned. Now they see why Frozen Sage has a hatred for stallions as well as the reason to why she said what she said.

"Well, I can understand why she felt upset now." Ben said with a sigh. "But did it even occur to her that Sir Han may have been controlled by Sombra? The unicorn did have dark magic to make that happen."

"I tried telling mother that possibility, but she was too bitter to listen." Sol explained with a groan of irritation. "I refuse to believe that father would turn on her for no reason."

"Still, Frozen Sage should've learned that she's a guest here." Shining said with a deep frown on his face. "She can't go shoving her opinions into ponies' faces."

"We tried, but it appears nothing can get through Frozen Sage's bitter and hurt heart." Iron Brave said with a sigh. "I am worried as to how far she would go."

Ben paused, looking worried. Cadance is getting stressful, probably because of her father's lack of participation in her life. If she doesn't fully recover, Frozen Sage may even think of taking control of the Crystal Empire...kinda like how Brave Heart tried having his way in Ponyville.

Ben, in determination, looked up to Shining, saying, "Shining. I think it's time we pay a visit to Lord Chester."

"Yeah, I know. Lord Chester got to listen to reason if to help Cadance." Shining said in agreement.

---------------

Pinkamena looks upset as she paces back and forth in her room, mumbling, "That Sage is such a rude pony, making and calling our friends weak."

"Easy sister, this sage must have a reason." Golden Heart said to his sister, trying to calm her down.

"Well for her sake. SHE BETTER," Pinkamena exclaims furiously. She calms down somewhat and says, "Well let’s get on with this please and also I sent Jack on a escort task to bring some Friends here."

---------

Jack Zen is waiting as Iris Crystal comes with the Light Elves behind her. He says, "So these are the Light Elves?"

Iris Crystal nods as Jack's horn glows and places robes on them. He says, "These will hide you from sight; follow me and be swift. I will take you to the safety zone."

He heads off as the Light Elves follow. Iris Crystal smile, hoping that these Light Elves are to Pinkamena and Havis's liking.

-------------------

Lord Chester was hard to work, using a laser to fuse some parts of a lamp post together. The Alicorn groans as he put an ice pack on his head. All this work is giving the scientist a big headache.

"Ugh, my head," Lord Chester mumbles a bit. Suddenly he hears a knock at the door, making him groans harder, "LESILLE! ANSWER THAT DOOR!"

Downstairs, Lady Lesille frowns as she calls upward, "You know I don't like when you yell at me."

"Sorry, I'm sorry, dear. I was getting a headache from all this work. Please answer the door."

"Much better," Lady Lesille said with a nod as she goes over to the door. The female Alicorn loves her husband but sometimes she hates it when Chester yells while he's working. Lady Lesille opens the door, revealing Ben and Shining outside. "Ah, Shining. And Ben Mare, correct?"

"Is Lord Chester about? We gotta speak to him." Ben said to Lady Lesille seriously.

"Sure. He's upstairs. Chester, dear! You got visitors."

Lord Chester, upon hearing that, stops his work as he rolls his wheelchair to the main hall to see whose visiting. Upon seeing Ben and Shining coming inside the mansion, the Alicorn smiles as he speaks, "Oh, Shining Armor. And that new stallion guy who is my daughter's cousin."

"Lord Chester. We must speak to you, it's very urgent." Shining said seriously as he and Ben came upstairs.

"Well, follow me to my lab. I got a lot of work to do." Lord Chester said as he rolls back into his lab, followed by the two stallions. “I am right on schedule as it is.”

"That's the problem, Lord Chester. Cadance is under stress...and she is sad. All because of you," Ben said seriously to Lord Chester who is connecting some wires together. "I think she thinks that you don't love her because of you working too much, sir."

"What?! Preposterous! I love my little Cadance. She was my little filly when Lesille and I took her in." Lord Chester rolls over to a desk and pick up a photo of himself and Cadance, back when he was an Earth Pony and she was a little Pegasus filly. The father sighs as he explains, "When Lesille and I learned that Lesille herself was barren, we feared that we may never get any foals. But Cadance came into our lives, we are complete."

"I understand, but now she fears that your family is breaking." Shining explains seriously to his father-in-law.

"Please understand. I care for my filly...but I got a lot of work to do, trying to keep the Crystal Empire safe. I can't let my guard down or villains will be trying to attack almost every day. Why, I remember how many times I tried to keep Canterlot safe, even during the return of Nightmare Moon."

"Her name is Nyx now, sir." Ben explains to Lord Chester who looks at him for a moment.

"Oh, I apologize for that." Lord Chester said with a nod, apologizing for what he just said. "The point is, I must do my best to continue doing so, working on ways to help my fellow ponies."

"Then you can do so by taking time from your work. Spend time with Cadance. She really misses you, sir. I can sense it! Your absence is the reason why Cadance herself is under stress."

"Cadance is having more stress due to Frozen Sage's bitter view of stallions. You should be there to support your daughter and prove the Mystic Pony wrong." Shining explains seriously to Lord Chester who pauses to think about it. "I love your daughter, sir, and I can't bear to watch her being tormented like this."

Lord Chester then sighs, shaking his head sadly while saying, "I...I can't...I wish I could but...I just can't."

Ben and Shining frowns but understands. Lord Chester is worried about the safety of Equestria as well as the Crystal Empire...but is working on his experiments to do so more important than his daughter?

"Now please go, I got to get back to work." Lord Chester said sadly as he rolls back to the lab table, working on another lamp post.

The two Stallions heads back to the door. Lady Lesille was watching, listening to the conversion. She sighs, "I'm sorry too. I was really hoping."

"It's okay, Lady Lesille. At least we know his true motives." Shining said sternly as he heads out the door to take his leave of the mansion. "Ben?"

Ben pauses, looking back to Lord Chester, saying, "Sir, Frozen Sage told us that us stallions pushed mares aside like they never exist in their lives again. And sadly sir, you may end up proving her right..."

Lord Chester pauses, stop working to think as Ben leaves the room. Could Frozen Sage be right? Have he been pushing his daughter aside, for the sake of his work?

The scientist sighs sadly, getting back to what he's doing.

Chapter 3: Stallions' Worth

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Chapter 3: Stallions' Worth

Twilight, Cadance and Nyx leads Frozen Sage throughout the castle with Omega following, still observing. Ever since the unpleasantness before, the Mystic Pony kept her opinion of stallions to herself for now. Twilight was hoping that she doesn't get into that again or anything else that could go wrong.

"And here is a room, an important one to be precise." Cadance said as the group enters a room where a familiar mirror, the same one that Twilight, Ben, Nyx, and the Dragons once used to go to the world of Equestira Girls to get the crown back from the rogue Sunset Shimmer.

"So, the mirror is still here?" Frozen Sage scoffed. "Unbelievable. I hope Celestia wasn't planning to visit her boyfriend again. I don't wish to see that Sombra."

"I assure you. Celestia won't put the fate of Equestria Prime into danger. Trust me. Everything is fine." Twilight assures Frozen Sage.

Twilight hasn't forgotten how love blinded Celestia into visiting the good version of Sombra which ended up putting both her world and Sombra's in action, especially when it comes to the wicked versions of the Royal Sisters. The end results was that Sombra absorbed the evil in the bad Alicorns into himself, turning himself dark and wicked in the progress and for the mirror to the Other Equestria to be destroyed. It hurts Celestia emotionally for that to happen but even she knows what done must be done. A. Sombra doesn't want his beloved to be turned into crystal...and for Ben to lose his mother.

"And this is leading to our Human Version." Cadance said, explaining to Frozen Sage as to what the mirror can really do.

"I see. Tell me, Twilight, are you hoping to see Human Friends, as well as meeting your Human Self?" Frozen Sage asks Twilight curiously.

"Well, I don't know about that." Twilight admits to Frozen Sage with a shrug. "I would love to go over there again someday."

"Then, I suggest you don't." Frozen Sage said, making Twilight looks shocked and confused upon hearing that. "The world you had gone to is no longer the same than you had realized. That world is overwhelmed by fear of extraterrestrial beings' invasion and war. And it means... you mustn't see them again. It's best you should not."

"What? I don't understand. What happened that caused that?"

"Just don't."

Frozen Sage leaves with Cadance, Nyx and Omega following her. Twilight looks shaken, glancing at the mirror in worry. What has gone wrong in the EG world that caused fear of extraterrestrial beings? Does it had something to do with the events that she and her friends, especially the human versions, has gone through?

Twilight decided not to worry about that for now as she follows the rest of the group, leaving the room and the mirror behind herself.

--------------------

Ben and Shining got back to the others as the tour is done. While Frozen Sage is at the balcony and the leaders of the Crystal Empire are doing some talking, the rest did some talking of their own.

"Hey Iron Brave, I got a question for yah. Does Frozen Sage still have those elements?" Phobos asked a good question, since Frozen Sage had two elements of Ice & Snow, what happened to them?

"Wait a second; didn't we hear that Crashfire's twin sister say she had the Element of Ice when we saw her?" Spike spoke off in finding something weird, Snowcrystal said SHE had the element of ice, but if Frozen Sage had that element in the past, then...

"You are correct about that, you see long ago, my sister relinquished being a wielder to the two and hid them away." Iron Brave nods in stating what had happened to the said elements; much to everyone's shock to believe that.

"They reminded her too much of her past, and after becoming a Mystic Councilmen, she felt best that they find wielders better then her who failed in her duty." Icy spoke in sadly stating a cold fact of what happened with her mother. "The Element of Ice turn into a special snowflake, differently made that would fell from the sky where it hid all the years, waiting for the next worthy user that it sense would be near." She explained how the first of the two ice and snow elements would find a new user.

"And Snowcrystal must have found it. It must have fused with her after she held the special snowflake, granting her the power of ice." Twilight spoke with her smart brain figuring out how this explained how one friend of theirs got such an Elemental Element power.

"So wait, if Snowcrystal has the Element of Ice, then....what about the other one? The Element of Snow," Ben spoke in feeling there was something amiss, Frozen Sage had two elements, but while they know what happened to one, what about the other one?

"It was hidden in a place was only a courageous enough warrior would have to pass the snowy obstacles, could they obtain it." Royal Solflare explained what happened to the Element of Snow, sent to a place to give a test trial to any that could prove their worth to be the next wielder. "Recently, it was found by a citizen of the Crystal Empire and that pony is currently training in the Frozen North." She stated this surprise that everyone heard, the other element has found a new user and it's another citizen of the Crystal Empire, just like Snowcrystal. "Course our mother wasn't pleased to learn that the new chosen of the Element of Snow turn out to be a stallion than another mare." He shrug off to mention how his mother, Frozen Sage, was hoping her second element be in a mare than in a stallion.

"Ouch! Bet she didn't expect that." Phobos cringed in just picturing Frozen Sage's disappointment in learning of that one.

"Can you tell us who the stallion is?" Nyx asked in wondering who the user of the Element of Snow was, he could be another friend & ally to them if they ever meet.

"Perhaps the day will come when you'll come across him. As far as we've seen, he's very strong, relentless optimist and a self-proclaimed hero....he's almost a reminder of who our mother once loved." Icy spoke to explain some bits while slowly beginning to feel sad over who the new user of the snow element reminds them of.

"Come on Icy, we better get going, mother's awaiting us soon." Solflare pats her sister as they slowly begin to leave to return to their mother's side where she awaits them. Iron Brave so follows them afterwards while leaving the gang to ponder after what they have been told of this new info.

"Well one mystery answered and another one to figure out later. But for now....we better try to make sure this day doesn't end badly for Cadance." Twilight issued off to say this to her friends in feeling that they still need to focus if they wanna help Cadance out.

The others nod in agreement before they quickly ran off to do something at this time.

At the Crystal Castle's Balcony, Frozen Sage was standing down alone, looking at the sky for the moment. Nothing has impressed her so, there are unworthy stallions and mares whose don't do a thing about that 'problem'. The Mystic Pony is half tempted to take control from Shining and Cadance right now. The two, according to Frozen Sage, aren't worthy to still be in charge.

"Mind if we cut in?" Iron Brave spoke as he stood beside with her, along with Icy Princess, Royal Solflare and Stormwar.

"So, brother... Why have you come?" Frozen Sage ask her brother bitterly. "Have you come for some discussion that I should give stallions a chance?"

Iron Brave chuckled, "You know me well." He kept trying to convince his sister that, despite the betrayal before, she shouldn't hate the other stallions for what two had done (or one had done unwillingly, since the rest still believe that Sir Han's actions weren't his own).

"The answer is no."

"You know. Holding a grudge against one stallion isn't going to make you a better Mystic Councilpony. You are getting colder than before." Iron Brave chuckled in amusement as if making the best joke in Equestria. "Get it? Getting cold?"

Icy and Soflare giggled happily. Frozen Sage on the other hoof just stares as she said, "Get to your point, Iron."

Iron Brave cleared his throat, deciding that it's best to cut to the chase, "Okay, sis. Anyway, the point is that you should give them a chance. I'm sure Ben and Shining Armor had proven theirs well."

"I'm sure her worthless and loveless father had that."

"Chill. I'm sure he didn't mean it."

"I doubt of it. One stallion betrays his own love family proved that he wants more than just love." Frozen Sage scoffs a bit in dismissal. Lord Chester is the example of what she believes about stallions and had proven her right all along. He neglected his own daughter just to continue on his work than love.

Iron Brave sighed, shaking his head as he spoke, "Boy, you're quite a stubborn mare to understand pony's opinion."

"And you're one stallion too relax."

"Suit yourself, sis." Iron Brave remarks as he stood up. Perhaps now is not the time to continue this pointless discussion if Frozen Sage isn't going to cave in. "I'm going somewhere."

"Where are you going?" Frozen Sage ask Iron Brave as he prepares to head off somewhere.

"Checking on the boys."

"Trying to prove that there are some and especially from Chester?"

"I'm telling you. It's good. And not to mention, I might finally found someone who is worthy to succeed me." Iron Brave said to Frozen Sage with a grin. If what he expects is true, the Mystic Pony may have found someone to succeed him in something, but what is yet to be known.

Solflare scoffed while snapping, "Better hope he's better than that lousy psychopath killer."

"Agreed; I really hate that guy. What would you thinking, uncle?" Icy ask her uncle, frowning at the last bad choice that Iron Brave had made.

Iron Brave pauses to think then shakes his head, saying, "I had no idea..."

Iron Brave had no idea why he made that terror bad choice that led to serious consequences.

------------------

Pinkamena was busy as usual when the mare sense something. She spoke, "Hmm, it would seems that something good is going to happen very soon. I can feel it."

"I hope so." Golden Heart said in agreement. He hopes that his sister's senses are indeed correct.

----------------

Lady Lesille was reading a magazine in the study, when a knock came at the door. The Alicorn sighed as she came to the door and opens it, seeing Iron Brave outside.

"Yes, may I help you, sir?" Lady Lesille asked the newcomer curiously.

"Yes, my name is Iron Brave, one of the Mystic Pony visitors." Iron Brave said in concern. "Is your husband at home by any chance?"

"Yes, he should be in his lab." Lady Lesille said, motioning to upstairs. "Why? Is Chester in trouble?"

"Not really. I want to help him reunite with Cadance, restore their father-daughter relationship." Iron Brave explained calmly to the mother of Cadance.

"Well, I hope so. I don't wish for my filly to be stressful more so than usual." Lady Lesille said with a sigh. Maybe with Iron Brave's help, Lord Chester can finally see sense to leave his work for once and spend time with Cadance.

Iron Brave trotted upwards to the lab. Lord Chester was at work, not noticing his visitor...until the Mystic Pony tapped, causing him to almost fall out of his wheelchair before turning around.

"Gah," Lord Chester exclaims in alarm.

"What's up, Doc?" Iron Brave joked a bit.

"What are you tryin' to do, gimme a heart attack?!" Lord Chester asked the Mystic Pony angrily, not liking to be startled like that.

"Relax, you have been here for decades, I doubt a heart attack will kill you." Iron Brave said calmly. "Listen, my name is Iron Brave. I'm here to talk to you about your daughter Cadance."

"Hey there," Lord Chester said with a sigh, now knowing where this conversion is heading. "Look, before you say anything, no. I don't hate my daughter. I was just so busy working that I don't spend time with my filly as I used to. I really love her as a father would his daughter."

"Really; Is that so?" Iron Brave asked curiously, arching an eyebrow. So it's true. Lord Chester does care for his daughter.

"I... I wish... NO!" Lord Chester groaned as he slammed both hooves onto the table. The Alicorn is tired of being away from his daughter for too long, and what he heard about Frozen Sage is upsetting him. "I want to prove that I love my daughter so much! I want to prove that what Frozen Sage had said was wrong! I will never put her and my wife aside! They meant everything to me, no matter what!"

"I was hoping you would say that." Iron Brave remarked with a smirk, glad that Lord Chester finally decided to spend some quality time with his family.

Lord Chester sighed before adding, "I know how much my daughter misses me...and I'm tired of my work always getting in the way of that. Even if it's security or not, neglecting Cadance for too long is not worth keeping Equestria safe."

Iron Brave smiled, saying, "You certainly got guts. Besides, I really do believe in you. You guys are certainly perfect example to show her that you're the best."

"Yeah, you're right. I will do my best to do so." Lord Chester said in determination. He will prove Frozen Sage wrong and make it up to his family for his years of neglectful behavior. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me. Prove it to me." Iron Brave said in determination. If Chester wanted to prove that he isn't everything that Frozen Sage claims that stallions are then it's time for him to prove that.

-------------------

A while later, Iron Brave took Twilight, Lord Chester and her friends to the park, where Icy Princess and Royal Solflare are waiting. In front of Twilight and her friends was a giant metallic, sharp and powerful Broadsword. The Mystic Pony got a plan to prove Frozen Sage wrong about all stallions once and for all.

"What is this, Iron Brave?" Twilight asked Iron Brave curiously and amazed.

"Cooooool; A big flank sword," Phobos exclaimed eagerly, almost drooling at the sight of the sword itself.

"My friends; Say hello to my partner, Avenger Broadsword," Iron Brave said, patting his sword proudly, making the ponies and Dragons look amazed and awe. "This blade is the strongest, powerful and special silver metal broadsword. And do you know what I like about this sword? It chose someone's strength and might, like me."

"Oooooh," Nyx, Spike and Phobos exclaimed in unison and awe.

"So what is it that you want us to do?" Flash asked Iron Brave curiously, wondering what the Mystic Pony had in mind, "Or in this case, some of us?"

"I want you to pull Avenger Broadsword out." Iron Brave explained, making the stallions look surprised and alarmed. This guy is allowing him to have the honor of holding his sword? "I'm sure it's simple for you guys to handle. I would like to start with Ben and Shining Armor, and then Chester."

"Go get 'em, Daddy!" Nyx said to Ben eagerly.

"Right, Ben, I believe in you." Twilight said while nuzzling her love.

Ben was determined to give it his shot. If he could hold this sword, maybe it could prove to Frozen Sage once and for all wrong of her POV of all stallions. Maybe her heart could be change.

Ben stood in front of Avenger Broadsword. He grabbed its handle and pulled it hard. The sword remained stuck on the ground. Ben groaned and moaned angrily.

"Man... That's heavy!" Ben groaned a bit, having trouble.

"Ah, come on! You call yourself a strong warrior?" Iron Brave remarked. He decided to taunt the stallion to give him confidence and encouragement, "Dude! I'm disappointed! I was expecting to see someone who possessed the Triforce Element to pull that kind of trick off! But you know what I find?! A pretender! I guess the rumor about you being chosen is so not true... You can't even save one life."

Ben groaned angrily, "Yes... I CAN!"

With his great strength, Ben pulled the handle of Avenger Broadsword out hard. Everyone gasped in shock at this...all but Iron Brave who gave a hidden smile. He knew that this would happen.

"What... What just happened?" Ben groaned a bit. "Man! This thing's heavy and strong!"

Iron Brave smirked as he called over to Shining, "Shining Armor, you're next!"

Ben put the Avenger Broadsword down. Shining Armor stood in front of it and breathed heavily, thinking about his family, friends and Cadance.

"Come on, Shining Armor!" Twilight cheered on, eager to see her brother get it done.

Shining remembered how he first met Cadance at high school, how the stallion was nervous to do anything involving her at first. But thanks to his friends and events that followed, he and Cadance dance at the prom that day...but the biggest happiest moment is when the couple became married after the defeat of Queen Chrysalis and her minions.

Shining Armor breathed deeply, looking at the sword; He yelled wildly, pulling the broadsword out like it was nothing. Everyone gasped in shock and surprise.

"Wow... How did I-?! Ben couldn't! But I can? And why is it light?" Shining asked in bewilderment, not understanding how he could do what his friend couldn't.

"Wow. Amazing," Cadance exclaimed with a smile. Her husband did the impossible! Yes, Ben had trouble but at least he's trying, right?

"Whoa! Like in the stories of King Arthur," Spike exclaimed in agreement.

"Affirmative," Omega said in agreement.

"Chester, don't disappoint me." Iron Brave said calmly to Lord Chester. Now it's his turn to prove himself, to see if he truly cares for Cadance.

Shining Armor put Avenger Broadsword down in front of Chester. The mad scientist Alicorn breathed deeply. He grabbed its handler and started to pulling the sword hard. Avenger Broadsword remained on the ground, much to some of the ponies' disappointment.

Iron Brave huffed at this, "I guess your daughter mean nothing to you. Maybe my sister was right. More stallions think of powers and ambition than the mares and fillies that they loved in their family."

Chester groaned angrily, "Shut up!"

"Then, tell me how much they meant to you." Iron Brave said, wanting Lord Chester to tell him how much Lesille and Cadance meant to him.

"They mean everything to me. I just got reasons not to before...and I was a jerk to do so." Lord Chester admitted to Iron Brave guilty.

"Pride," Iron Brave guessed right.

Chester frowned as he growled, "I hate giving excuses and drifting away from my very own family that I love!"

"Too selfish," Iron Brave asked, guessing right again.

"Yes!" Lord Chester growled in determination.

"And you fail?" Iron Brave asked Chester, knowing that what he's saying is giving this man riled up and determined to prove his worth.

"Yes!" Lord Chester exclaimed loudly.

"To be there and love for your daughter?" Iron Brave asked Lord Chester with a nod.

"YES!!!" Lord Chester yelled out so loudly, making the others, even Cadance, gasped. So he really does care for his daughter!

"And you neglect and ignore her that she was never been there and exist in your life?!" Iron Brave asked in determination and eagerness.

"YEEEEESSSSSSSSSS," Chester screamed with anger, and with that, the Alicorn in the wheelchair pulled Avenger Broadsword out with all his might.

"Holy smokes!" Nyx gasped as Phobos's jaw dropped hard. "It's like he's King Arthur!"

"He did it, he actually did it!" Twilight exclaimed in amazement while hugging Ben.

"Yeah; Wow! I didn't think someone who stubbornly refuses to use magic and sits in a wheelchair can do so!" Ben exclaimed with a wide smile at seeing this event. Cadance smiles happily as did Shining. Lord Chester has indeed proven himself today; perhaps Frozen Sage really was wrong about him.

"How? It was so heavy... Now... it's light?" Lord Chester asked in amazement, pondering what's happening.

Iron Brave chuckled as he explained to everyone who was puzzled like Lord Chester was, "Heart of Steel. It means someone you love and care had strengthened your might and power to carry the burden of protecting your loved ones. Avenger Broadsword allow the user to use him when he revealed his true and deep heart of him..."

"Yes, of course!" Twilight exclaimed with a smile. "To be honest, I have heard of such legend from books, but never thought it was possible."

"That explain why I wield it so light." Shining said, understanding now. He was determined to protect his loved ones, no matter what.

Iron Brave smirked while saying to Shining, "You bet, kid. And trust me, you're the stallion I'm looking for."

"Say what?" Shining asked, caught off by that comment.

"First thing first; Princesses, nieces and I need to talk with Frozen Sage about seeing stallions. She's gonna love it." Iron Brave said with a chuckle. Once Frozen Sage hears about this, her mind will change in a big hurry once and for all.

Unknown to everyone, a figure is peeking in from hiding, glancing at the scene.

"So....looks like it's time for me to work my magic on Lord Chester...and ruin everything." The figure said as he quietly left the scene.

---------------------

Jack Zen keeps moving along with the Light Elves. One is beside Jack and says having a female voice, "I wonder if what we heard is true. Are you sure that we will be safe?"

"Trust me, my friends will make sure you all are safe and Havis will be happy to meet you all." Jack Zen assures the Light Elf with a grin.,

"I hope you are right about this."

They keep on moving.

-----------------------

Lord Chester felt better as he rolls right into his home. The stallion had proven himself to Iron Brave, to Shining, to everyone that he cares for Cadance. Perhaps they are right in insisting that he gets away from his work every one in a while. It's time for Lord Chester to work whenever necessary to spend some time with his loved ones, like his wife and his adopted daughter.

"Lord Chester. It's been quite a while." A voice spoke, making Lord Chester startled and get another heart attack. The Alicorn saw a visitor, one that he hadn't seen in quite a while.

Chester gasped, "Mr. Stockman?! What are you doing here?"

" What does it look like I'm visiting you? After all, we're buddies."

"What do you want? I'm very busy. In fact, I need to see my daughter and Mystic Councilpony of Ice to prove that I'm a stallion who never abandoned mares and fillies."

"Yes. I know. But we had some problems." The one known as Mr. Stockman spoke grimly to Lord Chester.

"Put it on to my home mail box. I'm busy now!" Lord Chester scoffs, preparing to head off and not deal with this anymore. His daughter comes first from now on!

"Are you willing to put some lives in danger?" Mr. Stockaman spoke, causing Lord Chester to look shocked and worried upon hearing that. The scientist had almost forgotten that. "You heard me! Dark Mystic Ponies had infiltrated Ponyville! And are you willing to put your daughter's kingdom in jeopardy?!"

"But-!"

"We need you now! The Crystal Empire need you now! Princess Cadance need you to protect our kingdom! Are you going to give up on them?!"

Lord Chester hesitates, looking at a picture of himself, Lesille and Cadance in younger days, before he just found science, Cadance being an Alicorn, and everything that happened that led to the neglectism. The scientist was just beginning to see his daughter once more and prove Frozen Sage wrong...but would endangering the Crystal Empire just like that be his undoing?

------------------------

The princesses, stallions and Omega look around for Frozen Sage in hopes to speak to her and talk her into giving stallions, as well as Lord Chester, a chance to prove themselves.

Twilight and her group walked around until they heard a familiar sound.

"HOWDY, TWILIGHT!"

Twilight gasped and turned around then got prowled by a quadruplet of foals as the guards froze in fear as they watched the dusts clear up. Everyone saw the quadruplet pile on Twilight with giggles as they heard heavy trotting toward to them. The foals looked around and are frozen in fear to see the height of Flare Tiger. Nyx gasped in realized when she saw Flare Tiger, that meant...

Nyx squeals, "Blaze Leo! Midnight Moonlight! Ace Swift! Aurora Borealis! You're here!?!"

Blaze Leo looked up while calling out, "Hey, guys; pile up on Nyx!"

They yelled jump over to Nyx and purred when they hugged Nyx , causing her to blush as Twilight laughed. The Alicorn stand up and looked up to Flare Tiger.

Twilight Sparkle sighed, "What bring you here?"

Flare Tiger grinned as she explains, "Just got a break, order by the Mane Five, ya' friends, also, they did request that's Ah need teach ya' to how 'ta held ya' new weapon."

Sounds of familiar anger are heard. The group looked around and saw Frozen Sage as she witness Flare Tiger's behavior and her children. The Mystic Councilpony snorts in anger.

Frozen Sage snorted, "So, another innocent mare who never had her mate with her...."

Flare Tiger sensed something off with the anger and is cool and calm when she spoke, "Do ya had a problem with it?"

Frozen Sage asked, "So did your mate dump you, along with your quadruplets?"

Twilight Sparkle gulped, "Um, that's not~"

Flare Tiger held her hoof to remind Twilight Sparkle to hold back as to let Flare Tiger do the talking.

Flare Tiger grinned while explaining, "So, do ya' think Ah had four children?"

Frozen Sage nodded as Flare Tiger laughed causing her to look confused. Flare Tiger calm herself down as she spoke spoke, "Ya' wrong."

Frozen Sage gasped, "What?"

Flare Tiger smiled while explaining, "Ah didn't had four, it's five children, then take a hint, looked around and find where mah fifth child is."

Frozen Sage realized as she spoke, "You..."

Flare Tiger sighed, "Word of advice, never, never Judge by cover! Ah heard about ya' history with stallions and Ah'm not proud of what a Stallion had done to ya! Ben Mare, Flash Sentry, and Shining Armor are good Males! Ah saw them fighting for who they care for! Ya need see through this until the end!"

Frozen Sage gasped, "What...How?"

Flare Tiger grinned as she continues, "Got chats with Jade Adventure, a good pal of mine! By 'de way, Ah'm Flare Tiger Judgement HeartBlossom, nice 'ta meet ya."

Flare Tiger bow to Frozen Sage but the gang heard anger snort from the Mystic Councilpony.

Frozen Sage snorted, "I don't care that you will protect the stallions, you had no power over it, thank you... Freaky Tiger...."

Frozen Sage turned and walked away with her family following her, unknown to her, the Mystic Councilpony had made a bad mistake. She heard a familiar sound of something that Frozen Sage hate so much as to make her frozen in her path.

A stallion voice is heard, "I wish you never called me that's name."

Frozen Sage turned around and saw Flare Tiger's mane and tail given off, she noticed her children shake in fear when they're hiding behind Twilight Sparkle. Frozen Sage could see and felt the flare coming out of her mane and tail.

Frozen Sage gasped, "What... What's going on?"

Blaze Leo answers, "You should never call my mom like that!"

Frozen Sage asked, "You meant, Freaky Tiger?"

They gasped in fear as the foals hide behind Twilight again, making Frozen Sage confused when Aurora Borealis pop her head out with a gulp.

Aurora Borealis gulped, "Um... Why you judge her?"

Frozen Sage snorted, "Because she's not normal; Tall height? Had two fangs; her wings white; even her horn; that's so freaky!"

Flare Tiger growl, "Never, never judge by cover! I told you, NEVER JUDGE BY COVER!"

Frozen Sage gasped, "You.... Your voice...."

Flare Tiger snapped, "It's because of my life, I hate that nickname! That's why I change my accent due 'ta my problem until Ah found a way to solve it! My family's worried for my anger! I did hold it back when you called me freaky! Do you like me talking in a Stallion's voice?!?! Huh! Huh!"

For the first time, Frozen Sage's family saw Flare Tiger stare down on her as she shake in fear when the Mystic Councilpony saw through Flare Tiger's eyes, she could see her childhood whose sadness and anger are over the bullies; not just colts but also fillies, Frozen Sage could see that they're mocking at Flare Tiger and laughed in evil. She now realizes, Flare Tiger was suffering by trauma due to the nickname stuck in her memory and never forget how Flare Tiger hate it. Not until Frozen Sage saw Flare Tiger's father who listen and explained with love, the mare also could see many different of stallions in Flare Tiger's family. She start calming down, blinking with tears when Frozen Sage snapped out of her trace from her stare and saw her tears.

Frozen Sage breath, "You... You suffered because of these bullies?"

Flare Tiger nodded, admitting, "Eeyup, Ah didn't like it so much..."

Frozen Sage sighed, "I... I need think about this... Your father..."

Flare Tiger sighed, "He's always been there when Ah'm deeply trouble as mah granny didn't being there when she's had her job doing. Not until mah mate came into mah life."

Frozen Sage curiously ask, "So, who is this mate of yours?"

Flare Tiger smiled while answering, "His name is Comet Star, he's not normal as ya see, he's Opinicus. He's always a very funny one and kept me felt better when Ah mope around. He didn't leave me and mah children."

Icy curiously ask, "What's Opinicus?"

Blaze Leo grinned while explaining to Icy, "Used your images! Think griffin but didn't had eagle claws, only whole paws, also he look like a lion!"

Icy hummed, "He had a beak too?"

Blaze Leo giggled, "Yup!"

Frozen Sage nodded as she said, "I see...."

Flare Tiger smiled while saying, "So, ya need ya' time, remember, word of advice! Never judge by cover! Ya need a bit 'ta kept ya' guard up, and loss them up too."

Frozen Sage sighed, "I see... I must think about this..."

Frozen Sage trotted away as her family follows her. Twilight Sparkle baffled to witness what she saw between Flare Tiger and Frozen Sage.

Twilight Sparkle asked, "Hey Flare Tiger?"

Flare Tiger hummed, "Mm?"

Twilight Sparkle asked, "About my request that's my friends ask of you, what is it?"

Flare Tiger grinned as she explains, "Ah told ya, to teach ya. Ya' need 'ta learned how to control over 'de Star Sword."

Twilight Sparkle gasped, "Really?!?"

Flare Tiger nodded while the mare continues, "Not only one, but another is helping with 'de Family Problems."

Nyx gasped and bounces around them with squeals, "YES YES YES YES YES!"

Flare Tiger chuckled, "Ah could see that Nyx take after ya, Twilight."

Twilight Sparkle blushed while exclaiming, "HEY!"

The group laughed as they walked toward to the castle.

------------------

Twilight Sparkle's group reunite with Frozen Sage's at the castle. The Mystic Councilpony decided to give stallions another chance...as long as she sees the results of lord Chester. But for some odd reason, Cadance's father has been gone for an hour. The princess of the Crystal Empire is worried, where is he?

The gang heads back to Chester's mansion where they saw a sight that shocks Cadance's group and made Frozen Sage frowns in suspicion. There's Lord Chester putting up the lampposts already and practically not even seeing or noticing that he got visitors...again!

"Father; What are you doing?!" Cadance ask her father in worry. Lord Chester promised to put aside his work for her after the whole Avenger Broadsword event is over!

"Pushing your security; we can't afford to let our Dark Mystic Ponies come in and attack us like from Ponyville!" Lord Chester explains, sweating a bit. Hearing this made Cadance's heart almost break again.

"But father! You promise me! You did!"

"I know! But you ask me to!"

"I didn't say it." Cadance said in shock and bewilderment. Why did she tell him to go back to work after he had proven himself to his daughter and everyone else?

"What? That can't be right. Mr. Stockman told me -!" Lord Chester begins to say, looking confused and bewildered.

"Mr. Stockman? Who's that?" Shining ask Lord Chester. The prince of the Crystal Empire doesn't recall anyone in the Crystal Empire or Equestria by that name. So whoever this 'Mr. Stockman' is must've talked Lord Chester into this!

"He's your messenger. He's the reason why I'm busy."

"Weird; I've never heard of him." Nyx said in concern to the others.

"Right; don't have him on data." Omega said in concern, noting how he didn't have any info on this 'Mr. Stockman' on file. Something's wrong here.

"We don't have any messenger who's called 'Mr. Stockman'." Cadance said, getting worried at this especially with Frozen Sage frowning and growling. This doesn't look good.

"What did Mr. Stockman look like?" Iron Brave asks Lord Chester in concern. He suspects that whoever is posing as a messenger could be nothing but trouble.

"He was a Gray Unicorn with a white, gentle and short mane and tail, wore a coat and his Cutie Mark is a Helghast Symbol and Machinery Gun." Lord Chester explains to Iron Brave of 'Mr. Stockman' himself.

"He what," Iron Brave and Frozen Sage yells out in shock and alarm. 'Mr. Stockman' is no messenger! The two know who he is already!

"Something tells me that this 'Mr. Stockman' isn't a messenger, he must be a Dark Mystic Pony!" Spike exclaims with a yelp of worried.

"Who is the weirdo anyway? I wanna kick his flank for lying to Lord Chester like that!" Phobos exclaims with a frown of annoyance.

"Must be a terrible monster," Blaze Leo comments as his siblings nod in quick agreement with their brother.

"Ive heard of that before..." Ben said disturbed. The description that Lord Chester has given is a familiar one...from a story that was added when Ben and Flash told the story of their first meeting to their friends not too long ago!

Flash nodded as he adds seriously, "Yeah me too..."

"You don't think -?!" Twilight gulps a bit in fear.

Iron Brave confirms the Equestrian ponies' worries as he explains, "The very same Dark Mystic Pony you've been attacked by years ago: MechaStahl."

"MechaStahl," The ponies gasps in shock and alarm. MechaStahl once tried to kill Ben, Flash, Twilight and Sunset Shimmer with his allies back when they were little foals years ago!

"Shining, MechaStahl must've been here to tried to cause more trouble for us." Cadance said to her husband seriously.

"Yeah, and unfortunately it worked." Shining exclaims in worry. And unfortunately, Twilight's brother is right big time!

"So more proof that more stallions are now gullible and proud that they want something more from devils?" Frozen Sage asks the others in disgust and anger. She had seen enough evidence that stallions and males cannot be trusted! "This is getting ridiculous and stupid. I've heard and seen enough..."

"Wait, Frozen Sage; Hang on." Twilight said to Frozen Sage in concern. The attempts to get the stubborn and previously hurt Mystic Councilpony were ruined, thanks to MechaStahl's trickery! "Lord Chester didn't know that Mr. Stockman was MechaStahl."

"She's right. Give Lord Chester another chance." Ben said in agreement and concern.

Frozen Sage however shakes her head while snapping, "My decision is final. It is time that all of stallions in Crystal Empire are hereby exile from here! They are no longer welcome to stay here! I will inform Jade Emperor on taking over as new leader of Crystal Empire."

"What," Most of the group gasps in shock and horror. Frozen Sage is actually threatening on taking over the Crystal Empire! Even Cadance and Shining are stunned by this turn of events.

"Wait, you can't do that!" Shining insists to Frozen Sage with a frown. "The Crystal Empire was given to both Cadance and me after King Sombra's fall by Princess Celestia!"

"Right, you can't just go and take something that isn't given to you!" Cadance exclaims in agreement. Lord Chester, during this whole scene, had rushed back into the mansion, closing the door, peeking out a window in worry and guilt. His return to his work had caused all this to happen!

"Right; please reconsider!" Omega insists to Frozen Sage in agreement with his friends.

"You had your chance. Not a single word. By tomorrow dawn, I want every stallion and colt out of this empire! I won't repeat a mistake as before! I won't let someone as foolish as Han or Chester to bring downfall of Crystal Empire! Never again," Frozen Sage exclaims sternly. Mostly everyone else looks hopeless. The Mystic Councilpony's mind has changed.

"NO!!!" Ben exclaims, slamming his Master Sword right in front of Frozen Sage. Mostly everypony gasps in shock and alarm by what he did.

"No; you dare to defy me?!"

"I can defy you if I want to! Like my cousin and her husband said, the empire was given to them, not you! I say you are too bitter and stubborn over Sir Han's so-called betrayal to admit that you were wrong!”

"I am never wrong!" Frozen Sage exclaims furiously to Ben who kept his ground despite the outroar made by the Mystic Pony. "Stallions are worthless, liars, gullible and unfit to remain here! In fact...I say every one of those stallions will leave NOW!"

"I won't leave and let you take the Crystal Empire...not without a fight!" Ben snaps as he held out his sword at Frozen Sage. "It appears that the only way to settle this with a challenge! I challenge you to a fight!"

The others look stunned and worried. Ben is actually challenging Frozen Sage, a powerful mare who can easily outmatched most of Grimmore's Army and even Grimmore's Elite Warriors. That's suicide!

"Daddy, you may want to reconsider." Nyx said to Ben in a scared tone of voice. Her father is risking a lot doing this.

"We will fight at sunrise tomorrow. If I win, you must renounce your claim to the Crystal Empire." Ben said, keeping his ground at the glaring Frozen Sage. "But if you win, we will accept your new control over this empire."

"And I will join as well." Shining said, standing near Ben sternly, much to the worry of his wife.

"Shining, no," Cadance insists to her husband worried and getting more stressful.

"Cadance, I am not going to let Frozen Sage take our empire without a fight. I will fight for my family's honor and everypony's honor out there.

"And so am I, I will fight too." Flash exclaims in determination as he flies in, landing near Ben and posing. "I am willing to prove myself and every stallion out there.

"So do you accept or are you too scared to do so?" Ben asks Frozen Sage with a smirk, making her family gasps in shock. The stallion also had some nerve to call her out like a coward.

"I accept. I hope you like the ground because I am putting you down a few times before your surrender." Frozen Sage remarks coldly and bitterly.

It is settled. Frozen Sage left with her family following her closely. Flare Tiger frowns, saying, "After what happened, she still stick 'ta her opinion."

"Ben, I hope you know what you're doing or thinking in challenging a powerful Mysticpony like Frozen Sage." Twilight said to her love seriously. More than an empire is at stake here, Ben, Shining and Flash could easily lose their lives fighting Frozen Sage!

"Relax, Twilight, I know what I'm doing." Ben said to Twilight, nuzzling her a bit. "You and your friends had beaten Brave Heart before..."

"He is an Equestrian Pony, not a Mystic one, Ben."

"And you managed to keep control of Ponyville from Smartscar to keep him from turning it into a base. We can do this; you got to have faith in me, Shining and Flash."

Twilight and Cadance on the other hoof looks worried as everyone left, knowing that they must be ready for the challenge tomorrow. If the stallions lose, it will mean the end of Shining and Cadance's rule for good. Lord Chester looks out the window in sadness, closing the binds while looking down.

"Oh, what had I done?" Lord Chester mumbles to himself as he sat in his wheelchair in sadness.

Chapter 4: The Power of Love

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Chapter 4: The Power of Love

Pinkamena was tossing some things mad when the mare got the latest reports from Omega. She says, "THAT NO GOOD CREEP MR. STOCKMAN AKA MECHASTAHL! WHEN I GO THERE AND IF I SEE THIS PONY I WILL SNAP HIS NECK AND RIP HIS ORGANS OUT BIT BY BIT AND USE HIS GUTS TO CHOKE HIM WITH THEM!!!!"

the others look frighten a bit but calm as Golden heart lightly pats her back her back and says, "Easy sister. I am upset about what he did and it will be causing a battle but have faith things will go well and also I have a feeling Jack is nearing with the group; we best to get ready."

Pinkamena calms as she breaths in deep and then out and says, "Ok well, let’s get things ready; let's go."

The others nod and help get things ready for a warm welcome.

-----------------------------

At the Crystal Castle, Ben, Shining and Flash are preparing themselves for the big battle against Frozen Sage. Everything they knew and fight for depends on beating her. And of course, the others...aren't so excited about this idea.

"Okay. No offense about the idea of fighting with some bad guys or teach someone about the mess he made, but fighting with a Mystic Councilpony?!" Flare Tiger ask as if Ben, Shining and Flash were thinking about committing suicide. "Are you out of your mind?! There is no way you can beat her!"

"We had to. She has gone too far! I understand she had problems with stallions in the past, but it doesn't mean that she had to accuse Lord Chester for making a mistake in talking with MechaStahl." Ben insists to Flare Tiger. Frozen Sage must be shown the error of her ways one way or another, no matter what.

Shining nods in agreement, adding, "Ben's right. Lord Chester never made a deal with Dark Mystic Pony. He was being used and tricked by this MechaStahl! That Mystic Pony made a biggest mistake in accusing on someone who never meant to hurt someone he loved."

"The only way to snap that Mystic Pony out was to fight and battle with her." Flash said, knowing what must be done to bring Frozen Sage to her senses and for her to see reason at last.

Flare Tiger however is still not convinced. The mare exclaims, "Ben! Did you even know what Mystic Councilponies are capable of?! They're strong and powerful to deal with. In fact, the former and current Mystic Councilponies have defeated most of their enemies including defeating Elite Warriors and Grimmore's Army. Most of them were unable to beat them, making Grimmore come out fight with them. Be lucky that they had managed to seal him at Tarturus."

"Right, at least reconsider." Twilight said in agreement.

"She will kill you!" Nyx exclaims in a frighten squeak.

"Then we will die, doing what must be right." Shining said sternly, much to Cadance's gasp. She can't lose her husband to a mare whose is too bitter and stubborn to listen to reason.

"But even if we don't win, Frozen Sage will be beaten by someone, I promise you that." Ben said to his family in assuration. He vowed that before tomorrow is done, Frozen Sage will be beaten. Maybe not by him, Shining, and/or Flash but by someone else she underestimated.

----------------------

At the Crystal Hotel, Frozen Sage is preparing for the battle, confident and knowing that she would win. Those stallions made a poor mistake in challenging and they will suffer for it. However, two certain daughters of her aren't so keen about she's going to be doing.

"Mother; Please, you had to reconsider about the battle." Ivy insists to her mother frantically. Frozen Sage is going to kill the stallions and even the daughters know that, no matter how they try, Ben, Shining and Flash won't stand a chance against her.

"Yes, mother! Lord Chester really loved his daughter so much! He never meant to hurt her." Solflare insists, agreeing with her sister.

"If these arrogant stallions wanted a fight, then they will get one. Once I've dealt with these fools, I have some use of them for special work." Frozen Sage said to her daughters bitterly. Those stallions will be lucky to be used as servants than to be dead.

"I don't like it. You should go easy on them. They're not powerful or great as we are. They're not like Grimmore or Demon Generals we had faced with." Iron Brave explains seriously to his sister.

Frozen Sage narrowed her eyes in anger as she said, "It doesn't matter. Those who defy the order and will of the Mystic Councilpony will be punished. And I will make sure that the Crystal Empire won't suffer the same fate as before. Stormwar, gather all of Ice Mystic Soldiers. And once I win the battle, I want them to execute the exile of all stallions in this kingdom."

"Yes, my lady. I will get it done at once." Stormwar said without hesitation. Unlike the others, she is supporting the Mystic Councilpony in this.

"So, there is no way to talk you out." Iron Brave said in concern and disappointment. Looks like Frozen Sage's mind's been set. No way that she will be talked out of the battle now.

"Unless I am beaten, I will finish of what I had begun by exiling every last of stallion in this kingdom. If Celestia wish to challenge me, then so be it." Frozen Sage said sternly. If Celestia wants to deal with her over this, then the Alicorn will probably regret it. "They will be dealt with. In the name of Mystic-Equestria, I must do what I can to protect two worlds from danger."

"Mother..." Ivy said, scared. Her mother is going to the point of no return now. Is there nothing that can be done?

---------------------------

The time has come. Tomorrow has arrived and it's time for the big showdown. Ben, Shining and Flash make final preparations, knowing that their lives are at risk against a powerful Mystic Councilpony. Cadance is already ahead to get the final parts of the battle going, seeing her loved ones fighting against Frozen Sage is making her more stressful.

"Ben wait, before you, Flash and my brother go out there, I want to give you something to help protect you." Twilight spoke in wanting to give something to the brave valiant stallions to protect them.

"What is it Twily?" Shining Armor asked what his sister wanted.

Then Twilight used her horn to magically make three objects float near the three brave stallions, two rings & a bangle bracelet. Ben almost gasps in shock of knowing what these two objects were.

"Twilight, are these..." Ben gasped in surprise, he knows these items.

"The Magical Guardians we got from the End of Equestria. Yes." Twilight nods in stating that is what the objects area indeed. "I thought of having them along, just in case of emergency, and it looks like this is one." She responded in what she was doing with such magical objects, and talk about perfect timing.

"But why, aren't they yours?" Flash asked off the big question.

"They are friends who we can call upon to aid us, so technically, they are like summon creatures and there aren't rules that forbids them to help you three out. I'm giving you Phoenix, Egola, & Saint Anger, they'll help you out if you're in a jam." Twilight explained the case matter, the Magical Guardians can help Ben, Shiny & Flash against Frozen Sage since she wants the stallions best to fight, which means anything they have on them counts as using their best to beat the Mystic.

"Wait! I get why Phoenix is in; cause if Frozen Sage uses ice magic, if its fire against ice, fire wins especially from such a hot giant flaming bird. And Saint Anger can be handy as a giant pair of hands, bashing, gripping, slamming, etc. But isn't Egola an ice giant, what can he do?" Phobos stop the chatter in thinking there was something off in what was given to help the stallions be safe.

"Don't you remember, the colder the area is, the stronger Egola becomes, even Frozen Sage's ice magic can't stop a thing made of ice." Spike explained the case of what another Guardian's ability can be used to one's advantage.

"Sweet; these things will come in handy, but why give them us now?" Flash smiled in seeing they got a little more to help them win their tough fight.

"Too much is relying on this fight, if you lose....then all the stallions and colts, who done no wrong, will be exile, I don't want that to happen. I don't want my brother or sister-in-law to feel like they failed over one issue from Frozen Sage's blind upsetion." Twilight explained with much concerns and worries, if the stallions lose, then all males are exile from the Crystal Empire, not only would Candace be heartbroken over such an issue, but there might be a chance they'll lose Ben, Shiny & Flash, these are safety precautions.

"We won't Twily, and thanks for the support. We'll give these guys back when it's over." Shining Armor pats his little sister's head for her thoughts, and when it's over, return the Guardians to Twilight from this loan for the battle.

"Don't forget, you can make the Magical Guardians stronger by giving them more of your magic energies. And if your wills are strong enough in what you sand to believe, they can get you out of a pinch; just like they beat that nasty Peta guy with all our combined strength. Guardians, Ponies, everypony!" Nyx explained that if her father, uncle and her father's best friend get in a tight squeeze, to have the Guardians save them by giving it their all, full magical energy force from everything they got, body, mind, heart and soul, all that in one can really turn the tide like it did for the Sparkle family when they fought Peta who served Tso Lan.

"Nyx is right; we'll fight with our best effort and best strategies. And if that isn't enough to beat Frozen Sage, then one force can," Shining Armor pats his niece's head in thanking her while speaking these words to help them out.

"And that is?" The others responded in not knowing what else can help out.

"Our Steel of Determination; Even if our bodies are brutally beaten, so long as our wills don't bend, we won't lose even to a Mystic Councilmen." Shining Armor pats his chest in proudly declaring that as long as the steel force of their wills does not yield, they won't lose even to Frozen Sage.

"Well said, let’s do this!" Flash nods with pride, as it's time to get this on.

"Wait! Take this too daddy, uncle Shiny." Nyx gave her father something from her own possession; a familiar asp shield trinket. But many of the Sparkle Family knew what the object is, it is a Mystical Object, what better way to counter a Mystic than with...

"The Legendary Holy Item: Aegis. This is the one that saved us from Peta killing us." Ben responded in surprise shock, his daughter had this with her too, talk about major help with good-luck charms.

"Yep, the stronger & more earnest feelings Aegis experiences, the greater the effect. I showed this to Aunt Candace and thought her feelings and ours....could give you strength." Nyx smiled off to say in remembering how Aegis helped them out, and it's filled with much feelings to wish the stallions the best of luck and protect them from harm.

"Kiddo, you really are great for being a shield to protect your love ones, you know that?" Shining Armor smiled for joy in seeing that Nyx may be small, but she is a shield that protects them all when it comes to it.

"Well, that's all the words we'll get, time to do this you guys." Flash nods in seeing this is all they are getting, time to ship out now.

"Right," Ben & Shiny nods in agreement; it's time they go off to do battle.

Soon the stallions march forth in preparing to face a tough opponent, all while the others watch them head off now.

"Good luck and stay safe you guys. We're all rooting for you, all of us...even Cadance." Twilight spoke silently in prying that those she cares for can win this, many of them are rooting for their team.

The ones that watched the brave warriors go off, decided to move to in order to meet up with those about to be spectators to the combat.

But as Twilight go up ahead, a familiar voice stops Nyx, Spike and Phobos, "Wait." The trio stops to see four familiar ponies coming up to them.

"Icy? Solflare; Iron Brave; Lord Chester; What are you doing here?" Nyx ask in concern, wondering what the mentioned four are doing here. The first three should be supporting Frozen Sage and Lord Chester must be feeling guilty over what happened.

"I must do something about this. I can't afford to make my daughter to lose the very one she loved." Lord Chester explains in guilt and grief. "If only I had noticed and see through MechaStahl's deception, my daughter wouldn't have suffered this kind of situation."

"It's okay, sir. I know you didn't mean for this to happen." Icy said, patting Lord Chester on the upper foreleg gently.

"Right; Dark Mystic Ponies are very hard to predict." Solflare said in agreement with her sister.

"And you?" Spike asks Iron Brave, wondering what he's doing here.

"There is no way that Ben, Flash and Shining Armor can beat her." Iron Brave said seriously, making the Equestrian pony and Dragons yelps in alarm and worry. ""But if we're gonna end the fight, we need to find Sir Han's innocence."

"But how," Phobos ask Iron Brave with a frown. "King Sombra or whoever set Han up must've made sure to get rid of the evidence."

"He's right. How can we prove that?" Nyx ask Iron Brave in agreement.

"I don't know how. But whatever Sir Han had will be used to stop Frozen Sage from fighting and battling three stallions. We're going to his mansion. The very same place that Lord Chester had lived," Iron Brave said thoughtfully. "Well, back when Sir Han used to live in Canterlot anyway."

"Darn it! That place has been torn apart before I moved in. But I did took some of journals and works from that old mansion." Lord Chester said, remembering of some journals and works that he took when the Alicorn and his family first moved in.

"Show us, Chester."

--------------

The time had come as Celestia's morning sun rose above the Crystal Empire. Despite being so shining and beautiful, it is the start of a new change in the empire itself. Crystal Ponies gathered as they prepared themselves. Will stallions be banished or will the rulers retain their rule?

Frozen Sage cast a force field sphere around her and her challengers. She explained, "The attacks will not affect the kingdom or citizens. But those from outside are allowed to enter at any given time."

"Listen, we're giving one last chance. Surrender now; we don't want this to get ugly." Flash explained seriously, preparing himself for the big 'bout to end them all.

"Right; we know you are tough, but you aren't invincible." Ben said in agreement.

"One last chance, otherwise..." Shining began to say, but Frozen Sage cut the Crystal Empire prince off.

"You stallions may think you're tough, but I've survived against far worse hostile enemies!" Frozen Sage spoke off to address the issue of what was being discussed now. "From those curd Dark Mystics, brutal bunch and Elite Warriors from the Grimmore Army, the only ones that truly gave me harder times where a few Ultimate Dark Mystics. They were something." Frozen Sage explained that she's fought such battles, but only highly skills fighters of Ultimate Warrior class or an Elite Warrior were those she can just about handle.

"Well, that was all in the past, when was the last time you fought them or how strong anyone you last face became?" Flash Sentry spoke off in trying to make some snappy comeback remark over the matter.

"Well, that would be...over a few centuries, decades...a 1000 or so...give or take." Frozen Sage tried to think for a second, it's been so very long since during the age when Grimmore was sealed to the event of King Sombra gone evil, she's lost track of when she fought or how strong certain foes maybe.

"Then you should know not to underestimate an opponent. And for that matter, not to oversee your own expectations of thinking we'll be easy pushovers!" Shining Armor proclaimed this issue to really get under the mare's fur.

"Right, we're fighting for a cause and not letting blind hatred of the past blind us! You're actions are just when the Windigos cast their Chains of Frozen Hatred of the Three Tribe Leaders, it caused a disturbance that nearly ruin everything. But it looks like you may not have been put under such spells, you frozen and chain your heart with hatred you never let go, well, we're about to change it!" Ben spoke forth his courageous words to encourage the stallions in what they fight for and what Frozen Sage is doing is wrong, and they won't stand for it.

"As usual, the blind, arrogant, unsentimental remarks of a stallion before their true colors are revealed after they have been pushed to an edge." Frozen Sage rolled her eyes to quite off how the words spoken maybe changed when she gets through teaching these foolish stallions a thing or two.

"You can't talk about Daddy that way, and you can't have the Crystal Empire, Fat Flank!" Nyx shouted angrily at Frozen Sage.

"I will deal with you later, Nightmare Moon!" Frozen Sage snapped to Nyx, ticking her off a bit by the comment.

Hearing this made Twilight growl in rage as she snarled, "Forget the fact she's a Mystic Pony! If Dad fails to beat her, I'll blast her with all my strength for what she said about my daughter! I'll go all out on her like when I fought Tirek!"

Flare Tiger sighed, then she sniffed and realized very well as she grinned, saying, "Well, well, well..."

The quartet of the foals looked at their mother, confused and curious as Flare Tiger looked at them with a smile; evil appeared in her mind.

Flare Tiger smiled while saying, "Children, please, support Ben, Flash, and Shining; Ah had something to do with this 'messenger'."

They nodded as the girl rushed to Twilight's group as Flare Tiger turned around and kept her sniffing nose around more as she trotted away.

"You may begin to fight when..." A Crystal Pony called out but one of the horns went off, signaling the fight to start, "Never mind."

Ben yelled angrily as he swung his Master Sword at Frozen Sage. She raised her Frozen Shield and deflected the attacks. She swung her Elegant Iced Sword at Ben, sending the Earth Pony to the walls hard.

Flash groaned angrily as he charged in and swung his swinging spear against Frozen Sage, who blocked the attacks, without moving. He continued swinging and striking his spear against her for few times. At the final act of striking, he had thrust his spear at her. She moved and turned aside on the left before slamming her shield onto him to the ground hard.

Shining Armor charge in as he swung his sword from the right direction. Frozen Sage blocked the attacks with her Frozen Shield before punching him back. He shook his head hard before charging in and stroke his swinging sword at her. But Frozen Sage kept on dodging the attacks for a few times. Shining groaned angrily as he tried to swung and stroke his sword at her but bwas locked. At his final attack, Shining Armor thrust his sword at her. Frozen Sage jumped over to his back and slammed him onto the ground.

"Ben!!" Twilight cried.

"Shining Armor," Cadance cried.

"Is this the best you can do? I'm very disappointed. With lowest power, you stallions couldn't beat me." Frozen Sage said, both bitterly and disappointed, making the crowd gasp in worry and alarm. "It is foolish to challenge me when you know that Mystic Ponies are more superior and stronger than any of you."

Shining recovered as he said, "You think you are powerful, but we aren't going down just yet."

"Right, that's just our opening moves." Ben said in agreement, getting ready to fight once more. "You haven't seen us at our best just yet."

"Throw everything you had at me." Frozen Sage said in determination. She is not afraid.

"We're not done yet!" Ben exclaimed in determination.

Ben charged in and had his Master Sword transformed into the Hero's Bow and Arrows. He fired all of them at Frozen Sage while running around her but she blocked the attacks. Shining Armor and Flash charged in. They jumped up and slammed their sword and spear on her shield to the ground. Ben joined in the battle, with his Hero's Bow and Arrows changed back into the Master Sword. He slammed his weapon onto Frozen Sage's shield hard.

To their surprise, the mare was barely even feeling anything. She yelled in anger as Frozen Sage throw her shield up against three stallions' attacks off. She swung her attacks at them. They blocked her swinging sword twice. She swung again on their heads but the three dodged down. Frozen Sage slammed her sword on the ground. They quickly moved back. This Mystic Councilpony is tough!

Ben thrust his Master Sword at Frozen Sage. She deflected out and slammed her shield at his face, causing him to fell down. Flash jumped up and charging his spear at her. She jumped up and kicked his flank down to the ground. The mare landed on the ground gently. Shining Armor charged in, swung and strokes his sword at her but Frozen Sage charged towards him, her shield had made Shining Armor's sword passing by. She swung and slammed her sword on the back of Shining Armor's head to the ground.

"I am still disappointed." Frozen Sage remarked to the trio.

"Don't get cocky. We're not gonna let you do what you want." Flash said sternly to Frozen Sage. The trio isn't down just yet.

"Yeah; Ben, you know what to do." Shining remarked to Ben with a nod; Time to call in some extra help.

"Time to get our allies to help out," Ben exclaimed as he prepares to pull out...nothing? The stallion gasped while searching himself, "Phoenix, Egola and Saint Anger! They're gone; and the Aegis, too!"

"Where did they go?" Blaze Leo asked in surprise as the stallions' supporters look stunned. Ben had the Guardians and items a few seconds ago!

"Looking for these?!" Stormwar snapped as she shown four familiar items up, much to the supporters' surprise and confusion. Frozen Sage's helper must've stolen them off Ben somehow. "Lady Frozen Sage was right about one thing. You stallions are dishonorable and filthy; trying to cheat your way out of this. As warriors, they must never rely on items and especially the beasts and item!"

"You're the dishonorable and filthy one!" Twilight snapped angrily to Stormwar. "There are no rules saying that no help and items are permitted! I remember it clearly, you filthy thief!"

"Ugh. Fine, it's true, there are no rules about that, but does it matter? Do you truly think you can burn me to death with Phoenix? Do you actually think Egola can survive my coldest weather? Do you truly think Saint Anger can crush me easily?! Do you think an Ageis can help you?! Stupid stallions! It seems you are more gullible than I thought. I cannot be defeated easily by mere weak and pathetic Guardians! Stormwar, give them their guardians. They were about to meet mine." Frozen Sage exclaims in disgust and determination. If the stallions wish for some extra help, they will get some but won't win.

"Yes, ma'am," Stormwar obeys as she threw the three rings to Ben. "Summon them now! And you will learn that your Guardians cannot defeat and kill her so easily!"

"Maybe not, but they are gonna KNOCK! YOU! DEAD," Ben shouted as he took the rings.

Ben used the rings and three familiar guardians: the Phoenix, Egola and Saint Anger appear, all of them are ready and willing to help their friends/masters fight Frozen Sage and defend the Crystal Empire, as well as all of the stallions. They were not pleased by the Mystic Councilpony's actions...as well as Stormwar's thievery of them before.

"Come on, guys! Show her why you're our best friends!" Ben exclaimed to his Guardians in determination.

Phoenix blasted his Flamethrower at her, burning the mare to the ground for a long moment. For a moment, it looks like victory was the trio's; But as the fire dispersed, everyone gasped in shock. Frozen Sage remained active and in a healthy state.

Frozen Sage's eyes glowed darkly. The weather changed into winter. It became colder and colder. Everyone became very cold and freezing as they felt their bodies cold and colder. Egola, since he was used to the cold, was unable to feel it for the moment. As the winter grew colder and colder, everyone became freezing; Egola suddenly felt the cold on his body. He breathed and coughed heavily, struggling to hold himself and fell to the ground, with one leg to stand on.

Frozen Sage's eyes returned to normal. The winter dispersed; Looks like not even Egola is immune.

Saint Anger turned and was about to slam on her. Frozen Sage jumped up before the hands slammed on the ground hard. She stomped and stepped them onto the ground hard.

"The guardians didn't seem to faze her." Omega comments as the mare and Crystal Ponies gasps in shock and worry.

"Ooh boy, this could be trouble." Ace Swift gulped a bit.

"My turn," Frozen Sage said darkly as she hold up a hoof, "Yeti the Frozen Guardian! Come forth!"

A big blue swirling portal appeared as out came Frozen Sage's own Guardian: a giant whitish hairy with ram's horns, he had strong claws and his feet was large, but the Guardian wore armor and icing gauntlets and knee armor.

"Oh, Celestia," Twilight exclaimed in concern from seeing Frozen Sage's guardian.

"I got a bad feeling about this." Cadance said with a gulp of worry.

"Yeti, Frozen Blast," Frozen Sage exclaims darkly.

Yeti roared in anger as he opened his mouth and blasted the power of freezing ice blast. It blasted on the three Guardians, freezing them to coldest state forms.

"Oh no," Nyx cried in worry.

"Equestria, we have a problem." Midnight Moonlight remarked as Aurora hide behind her siblings.

"Yeti, return," Frozen Sage ordered. Yeti then disappeared from sight. "I hope you realize and noticed that if you ever tried to bring beasts into battle without informing me. I would have blasted them to pieces, with Yeti. But this time, I'll spare them."

"You witch!" Flash exclaims as Ben quickly calls the Guardians back. Hopeful they will be revived upon the next summon. "You have no soul."

"Right, you got no right to be doing that!" Shining exclaimed furiously to Frozen Sage.

"One last chance to make; Wrong moves; all shall fall." Frozen Sage exclaimed, still confident and determined to win. Nothing that the trio had done has even put a dent in her!

"We had to make one final strike! Darn it! Even she had lowest power to fight, she's strong and tough. I guess what Jade said wasn't kidding about her and Mystic Councilponies." Ben remarked with a frown. Perhaps it was a foolish mistake to challenge Frozen Sage unprepared.

Flash nodded as he adds, "I hate to see of what happen if you tried to challenge an Ultimate Mystic Warrior."

"Don't! Just don't! We make our final stand, guys!" Shining insisted to his friends. If they give up now, the Crystal Empire will be under Frozen Sage's unjust rule. "And this time, we're gonna make that happen! Give everything we had! Ben; use your powerful attacks against her! We'll hold her off!"

"Alright," Ben exclaimed with a nod, preparing himself.

Shining Armor and Flash charged in and swung their quickest and hardest attacks in using their slashing, swinging and striking their sword and spear at Frozen Sage, who kept dodging down, moving back and blocking the attacks for five times. They swung their weapons on her head. She blocked the attack with a sword then pushed her weapon to the front. She blocked and strokes her sword against from Shining Armor to Flash's striking and attacking before Shining for a few times. Flash jumped up and thrust his spear at her head. Frozen Sage moved back and slashed the spear into two and then kicked him to the wall. Shining Armor thrust and swung his sword on her. She strokes it up high before swiping his leg, causing him to fell down.

Frozen Sage looked unimpressed. Is this their best? Suddenly, Ben called out, "Hey, Frozen Sage! Get ready to taste this! Triforce Charge!"

Ben's body glowed in golden before he disappeared from sight. Frozen Sage's eyes narrowed in cautious and patience. SLASH! Frozen Sage yelped. Several attacks affected her. She dropped to the ground, with two legs keeping her up.

"Yeah," Nyx cheered. Ben made a nice shot on Frozen Sage.

"Yeah; All right," Blaze Leo cheered with his siblings.

"Looks like she is busted," Twilight exclaimed with a grin. "That means she..."

"Wait, hang on. We're not done yet." Omega said in concern. Everyone else looks and gasped as Frozen Sage got up. There doesn't seem to be a scratch on her at all! Ben's last attack didn't seem to work.

Frozen Sage scoffed, "Foolish mortals. That's the best move you had? I'm really disappointed. I give you three strikes including the beasts' attacks. And you prove nothing? How stupid that was..."

"Unbelievable!" Blaze Leo exclaims as he and his siblings look stunned. "That didn't harm her a bit?!"

"Not good." Cadance said as Twilight looked scared. That was Ben, Shining and Flash's last good attack.

"They're going to get slaughtered out there." Aurora exclaimed with a whimper.

"I don't need to unleash my powerful attacks, but I got something special just for you three." Frozen Sage said, having an attack that will finish this off. She closed her eyes for a moment. She opened her eyes in cyan colors, "Freezing Hearts!"

Frozen Sage held her Elegant Iced Sword up and blasted a blast at Ben, Flash and Shining Armor's chests. They fell to the ground hard, making them yell in pain.

"DADDY," Nyx cried in horror.

"Shining Armor," Cadance cried in despair.

"It's over. I've won, and the Crystal Empire is mine." Frozen Sage said darkly with a cruel smirk.

"What happen?" Flash groans, feeling his heart. "My heart feels...frozen."

"What did you do?" Ben demands angrily to Frozen Sage, hardly breathing himself.

"I had frozen your hearts. You had 30 minutes to live on." Frozen Sage simply answers, making everyone else gasps in horror. She has gone that far to win a fight!

"What; No!" Twilight gasped in horror and disbelief.

"You can't do that!" Shining exclaims, trying his best to move. "We didn't agree to any killing..."

"I warned you. But you stallion are foolish as always... It's over now..." Frozen Sage remarked bitterly and furiously. Challenging her was a big mistake and now, the trio had paid for it.

-------------

At Chester's Mansion, Lord Chester, Lady Leslie, Iron Brave, Icy, Solflare, Nyx, Spike and Phobos were searching and looking for any item among the boxes that prove Sir Han's innocents at the basement. Nyx had send in a clone of herself to keep her own mother company while they search the mansion.

Nyx spotted a brown journal. She took it out and read it. The filly gasped, "Guys! I found it! Look and see this journal."

Iron Brave read the journal before he smiled. This is the proof that is needed. The stallion said, "Nice work, Nyx. Come on. Let's get going."

------------

The group returns to the battle field to see a shocking sight: Ben, Shining and Flash are on the ground, cringing in pain. Frozen Sage's nasty attack is having its effect on the trio. And of course, 'Imagine Dragon - Battle Cry' from Transformers begins to play. This doesn't look good.

"Battle Cry by Imagine Dragon. I've got the bad feeling about this..." Nyx said, scared. Her father and uncles had fallen! She and her group are too late!

Frozen Sage huffed in anger, "They had their chance. And they foolishly challenge me. Therefore, they must be punished as the frozen statues as a warning.

Twilight hissed in anger with her eyes closed, standing up and preparing to fire an Unicorn Burst right at Frozen Sage's back. That monster had gone too far this time!

"It's over. I've won, and the Crystal Empire is mine." Frozen Sage said darkly with an evil smirk.

"NO!!!!!!" Twilight yelled out in rage and despair with the yell echoing as her eyes glow an eerie blank white color. Her lover, her brother and Flash can't lose, and that heartless witch can't take the Crystal Empire! Not if she could help it! As the ground suddenly started shaking, Twilight turned to her fiery rage form before she launched a beam at Frozen Sage, who turned around to notice it a bit too late as she got hit by the beam and was sent flying to the wall really hard, making her cry out loud in shock from this sudden move and pain from the impact of the crash.

"Yikes!" The Dragons exclaims in shock and concern.

"She looks ticked off!" Blaze Leo yelled out as Aurora stood there in fear.

"She's over 9,000!" Omega exclaimed frantically. "There may not be a way to stop her."

Frozen Sage hissed in anger as she turned to Twilight Sparkle, "You wish to challenge me?! You dare challenge me?!"

"I dare you to end this nonsense conflict! Freed my friend, my brother and my boyfriend now! If you don't, I will fight with you!" Twilight exclaimed in rage and fury. "This had gone too far! If I win, I want you to undo everything you had done for!"

"If I win," Frozen Sage asked Twilight with a challenge.

"Do as you please..." Twilight said simply.

"So be it. Prepare to die, Phony Princess of Equestria!" Frozen Sage shouted darkly.

"Twilight, don't. Don't do it." Cadance said to her sister-in-law in shock and fear. "It isn't worth it."

"Please reconsider." Nyx, who quickly pulled her clone back into herself, said. "We can find another way to save daddy and my uncles."

"I can't allow her to continue this madness. Is that right, you hag?" Twilight snapped to Frozen Sage, making her ticked off by the comment.

Frozen Sage smirked as she slowly said, "Then, so..." She jumped and slammed right her Elegant Iced Sword on Twilight Sparkle. She dodged the attacks. "...be it!"

Twilight Sparkle summoned her fused Star Sparkle-Starblade Sword out while calling out, "I won't lose!"

Twilight and Frozen Sage yelled and cried in anger. They charged in and slammed their swords at each other hard in the clash for the moment. The two departed then swung, stroke and slashed their swinging swords at each other hard and quick.

Everyone watch as Frozen Sage swung over Twilight's head, but she dodged down before stroking and thrusingt her weapon at her chest. Frozen Sage blocked the attack before slamming Twilight to the front. The mad Mystic Pony slammed and strokes her sword at the princess, who yelped in fear. She moved and dodged to the back. Twilight blasted her Unicorn Bursts at Frozen Sage, who quickly blocked and deflected the attacks. She charged in and swinging her sword at the moving Twilight, sending the mare to the ground hard and quick.

Frozen Sage thrust her sword at Twilight's hair. She dodged the attacks barely when her little mane on left sides barely. Twilight quickly blasted her Unicorn Bursts at Frozen Sage's head to the top, causing her to move back. The Alicorn got back up. She was about to attack but Frozen Sage charged in and pushed Twilight to the wall hard. She thrust her sword right at Twilight's chest hard. The Alicorn blocked the attacks, with her Fused Starblade Sword blade for a moment.

Frozen Sage snapped, "Time to finish this; Freezing-!"

"Unicorn Burst," Cadance yelled out quickly, interrupting Frozen Sage.

A cyan beam blasted Frozen Sage back hard. Twilight dropped to the ground. Cadance came in and helped the Alicorn up. Twilight, surprised that her sister-in-law is joining in, asked in shock, "Cadance?"

Cadance glared at Frozen Sage while snapping in defiance, "You will not hurt my family or my kingdom! I won't let you do it!"

"It doesn't matter how many of you joined in, you all will fall to the 'Queen of Frozen'!" Frozen Sage screeched in fury. No matter who tried to get in the way, all defiancers will fall!

Twilight and Cadance snapped at once, "Bring it!"

Twilight and Cadance blasted their Unicorn Bursts for a multiple times at the charging Frozen Sage, who blocked the attacks. The two dodged to their own direction before she slammed right at the wall of the force field.

Frozen Sage, more enraged, turned and swung her sword at the dodging Twilight and Cadance for a few times. The two cannot fail; the Crystal Empire and their loved ones depend on them both! Twilight quickly blocked the sword out before Cadance blasted her Unicorn Burst at Frozen Sage's back. Her sister-in-law jumped and thrust her sword at Frozen Sage, who quickly blocked and deflected the attacks. She throws Twilight to the other side as Cadance charged in and pushed Frozen Sage to the ground.

Cadance grabbed the sword. She jumped and slammed it onto Frozen Sage, who quickly used her Frozen Shield to block the attack before kicking Cadance right off. She got up and swung her sword against both Cadance and Twilight who quickly blocked the attacks as hard as they can and also dodged the attacks for a few times. They fought back as well, keeping their determination and love up.

Frozen Sage swung her sword against Twilight's and Cadance's hard bacs, making them yelp..

"Frozen Ice Beam," Frozen Sage yelled out in fury.

"Unicorn Bursts," Twilight and Cadance exclaimed, firing out their usual attack.

Frozen Sage unleashed a powerful beam of ice from her sword at Twilight's and Cadance's Unicorn Bursts. They clashed for a moment. Frozen Sage's Freezing Ice Beam broke through and blasted both Twilight and Cadance back.

"Snowstorm," The Mystic Councilpony calls out. Frozen Sage's eyes glowed in white. A hard snowball drops blown right at both Twilight and Cadance back to the ground hard, preventing and making it difficult for them to get back up.

"Mommy; Aunt Cadance," Nyx cried.

"Get back up!" Spike called out to the two.

"You can beat the Wicked Witch of the Ice!" Phobos exclaimed in agreement.

The Crystal Ponies, Omega, the foals, even Frozen Sage's own family cheers for the two to get back up. Frozen Sage herself couldn't believe it. Don't these fools know that it's pointless?

"Don't these fools ever learn; they're losing..." Frozen Sage began to say in annoyance.

Cadance groaned angrily, "Crimson Warmth!"

Cadance's horn glowed in crimson, causing the snow to melt down. Cadance and Twilight got up. They charged and fought against Frozen Sage in swinging, striking and slashing their swords at her but the two deal with the dodging and avoiding attacks from her hard and quick.

They became exhausted and tired while holding their swords tightly. The two princesses glared at the perfect healthy state of Frozen Sage. She charged in and strokes her blade at both of them. Both Cadance and Twilight dodged the attacks by going back in their opposite directions.

Frozen Sage turned to her back. She slammed her sword on the ground. It glowed in white while roaring, "Crystal Shards RISING!"

The ground shakes hard. The large crystallized shards appeared and stroke at both Twilight and Cadance, who quickly moved and jumped back as fast as they can while trying blast their Unicorn Burst as the Frozen Queen, who used two shards as shields for a few times. Before they could do anything, the crystals shards grasped and grabbed their hooves and wings tightly before covering their necks. They're trapped!

Frozen Sage narrowed her eyes in anger. She had has enough; Time to end this! The mare spoke, "Frozen Shard Force!"

Frozen Sage created the powerful and strong shard. She then blasted it right at both Twilight and Cadance, knocking both to the ground.

"Give it up! You have no power over me!" Frozen Sage shouted cruelly, "I will rule the Crystal Empire and put all the filthly little mudbloods you call the stallions and colts into permanent exile! And after that, I will take care of Nightmare Moon you call your daughter by any means necessary, like banishing her to the moon! No! Make that sudden, instant, and even immediate DEATH!!!"

"No!" Most of the others gasps in worry and alarm. Not good. Twilight and Cadance are about to be killed. It doesn't look good.

Ben, Shining Armor and Flash, struggled painfully to get up as they felt their chest pained and weakened. Their manes and tails changed into white and their bodies had turned to cold. They got up. The trio moaned painfully as they continued marching towards Twilight and Cadance.

"Got to... save them..." Ben groaned a bit. Twilight and Cadance can't die just in the stallions' places.

"Cadance... Twilight... Hang on..." Shining mumbles a bit. He, Ben and Flash knew what they must do to save the mare...even if it means a big sacrifice.

"Come on... come on..." Flash mumbled as he barely managed to keep on moving. The Pegasus must keep moving enough to do this.

Frozen Sage stood before the weakened and defeated Twilight and Cadance. She held her Elegant Iced Sword at the two. The mare said, "It's over. Both Crystal Empire and Ponyville are under my control. You both should have thought of it before challenging me; any last word?"

"Yes...you're evil." Twilight said, groaning a bit.

"Yeah; I hope you realize your big mistake soon." Cadance said, defying Frozen Sage to the end.

Frozen Sage huffed as she raised her sword up high. Ben, Shining and Flash gasped, "TWILIGHT; CADANCE!"

The trio all charged in haste and quick. They jumped in front of Twilight and Cadance as Frozen Sage slammed her sword right at them. The hree stallions gasped in shock and worry, feeling their hearts had stopped and their bodies had formed and transformed into crystallized ice forms.

Frozen Sage's sword bounced off and had been pushed off to the ground hard. Twilight and Cadance gasped in shock before they screamed at the ones crytallized in front of them, "BEN; SHINING ARMOR; FLASH!"

"DADDY," Nyx cried in shock and horror.

"NO!!" Icy and Solflare gasped in shock and unison. Iron Brave and Lord Chester looked horrified. They're too late to save them.

Frozen Sage grunted painfully as she slowly got up. She stood up and saw Twilight and Cadance crying in pain and despair as they hugged their loved ones and friend. The Mystic Councilpony looked stunned. Despite the fact that the trio are wounded and are about to be frozen, they risked their lives for the two mares.

"I don't believe it... Despite their wounded bodies, they risked their lives for these mares... Could have I been wrong?" Frozen Sage mumbled, stunned. Suddenly, guilt came over her. What had she done?

"No, no...." Lord Chester said, shaking his head a bit. Even Lady Lesille, who was watching the battle, came over and pats her husband by the roof.

"It’s okay, Chester, it's okay." Lady Lesille said in sadness.

As things turn out, many of the citizens of the Crystal Empire felt sadden over the loss that transpired with their ruler and her sister-in-law Princess Cadance and Princess Twilight Sparkle They all gathered around the Heart Stone as many of them have heard the saying, ‘if one prays with all their heart to wish for the one they love, a miracle will arisen’, it was most usually a metaphor to help calm one’s mind and pray that the ones that they love is safe and a miracle will happen to them. But now many are doing this all at once, for the ponies that have loved them so is Princess Cadance and Princess Twilight Sparkle. Many were gathering, many wanted to pray since they love her so as both their ruler…and friend, as well as the other princess.

Princess Cadance and Twilight continued crying and sobbing in pain and despair while hugging the crystallized and iced forms of Shining Armor, Ben Mare and Flash Sentry. Frozen Sage is not sure what to do or say since what happened to the stallions was...her fauilt.

Back near the Heart Stone, as many of practically all of the Crystal Empire citizens were praying with their loving hearts for their princess, something else happened. A new red/pink light emanated from the crystal as it’s dazzling light was very breath taking. And then without warning, little strange fireflies were gathering around it being absorbed into it. The fireflies were really coming from the pony citizens, as the source was from their hearts that let off an aura that they could not see, as they were focus in their prays. It wasn’t long until the Heart Stone glowed so bright, that its very source shot off like a cosmic shooting star.

The pure pinkish light comet from the sky shooting straight down; It turned and shooting straight at Princess Cadance.

As the scene focus on where Princess Candace and many others were at, something began to appear like a shooting comet before it was coming….right for the Crystal Empire’s princess!

“WATCH OUT!” Spike shouted from what he saw.

“INCOMING!” Phobos yelled out that they gotta move.

Cadance and Twilight turned and looked up. They gasped in shock as the comet shot straight at Cadance. It engulfed in the brightest and largest bright lights.

As many that did not know what was going on, the magical comet soon made its mark….on Cadance. “Truprusfruvhmmm…” But instead of an explosive burst, something unusual happened….Candace’s body glowed and she felt like….something entered her….loads among loads of energy….of the citizen’s love…and something…..MORE!

Cadance gasped in shock as her eyes glowed in bright white lights while hugging Shining Armor. Twilight gasped in shock while hugging Ben and Flash.

“Love….is the element that gives us….hope…” Candace spoke while she was in some sorta trance while glowing ever still.

The three Stallions' crystallized forms slowly melted away and formed into flesh and blood forms. They gasped in shock and surprise.

"They're...they're alive!" Blaze Leo exclaims in surprise and happiness.

"Is this true?" Aurora Borealis ask in hope.

"Indeed. They are unfrozen and back to normal." Omega said, a hint of a smile can be seen on the robot's face.

"I don't believe it... I can be the only who can do it." Frozen Sage said, stunned and speechless by what she is seeing before her. "I can unfreeze them yet... both Cadance and Twilight had manage to do it..."

Frozen Sage gasped in shock as she felt something familiar and unexpected from Cadance and her powers.

“That power….it’s an element….but it’s….no it can’t be!” Frozen Sage spoke in almost disbelief shock of what she was witnessing.

“But it is….that’s…the Element of Love!” Iron Brave responded in what they are seeing, the Element Of Love has revealed itself.

“But I thought there was no one that became worthy of it and it was lost for ages!” Icy spoke in recalling that this element was lost for a long time and none, not even a Mystic, became the wielder of it.

“Until now, and if it’s gone for Cadance, then she must be…” Solflare spoke in seeing that if Candace was in the light of that element, then she must have been chosen.

Soon the flashy glowing works cease, as Cadance seem all better while a bit dizzy from the experience.

“Oh, what…happened?” Cadance asked off from collecting her thoughts in what happened.

“Cadance!” Twilight & Shining Armor came around to check up on Candace followed by the rest of the Sparkle family.

“Are you okay? What was that?” Nyx asked off in wondering what that was.

“It’s so strange, it felt like…a large surge of love entering my being, and suddenly I feel….good.” Cadance spoke in feeling like the work of something that made her feel…more energized. “What is this new form of magic?” She asked from sensing a new form of magic coursing her body.

“The Element of Love is what it’s called.” Brave Iron spoke in having the floor with the others listening in. “Giving pure love and kindness to one’s allies in against the odd numbers or impossible odd moments. Such things like bringing those dead back to the living and restore damage to it’s original form. The strength of the strongest love could do wonders, it’s said that throughout history how love has trumpet over all impossible odds and come to a happy ending, surely you’ve read them in fiction books.” He explained the basic principle of that element and what it can do along with how it’s history has played out.

“Well yes, but…are you saying…my wife is now an Element User?” Shining Armor replied in knowing certain tales, but could not believe it, Cadance is the Element User of Love?

“It is as my brother speaks.” Frozen Sage spoke next in having something to say here. “The element, when it was made, did not settle with one user, as it was something made by one’s purest form of love. It has scattered to the winds, and in the ages of history that came, sparks of it lit up in guiding lovers together and overcome great odds. So there was never a true wielder of it as it was shared around.” She explained how the Element of Love became scattered, to give that extra push when it felt those truly in love that needed aid.

“So then, why did it gather now?” Twilight asked off in not understanding how this happened.

“The answer….may lie with the Heart Stone; in the past, it was more than what it is today. It was once the focus item for the Element of Love.” Brave Iron explained that the Heart Stone seem to have been what was the item form of the Element of Love long ago.

“What?” The others from Ponyville responded in shock, the same Heart Stone that saved the Crystal Empire….was once the container for the Element Of Love; who knew?

“Could it be that what drew out the scattered element was so much focus love towards the object?” Solflare spoke in pioneering what could have happened.

“What if instead, it was focus there, and towards Cadance because…all her subjects truly care for her and Twilight?” Icy stated an idea for a theory, the focus point of the love shared by those who believed in their hearts to cherish and hope to aid the one that loved them the most.

“That would mean everyone, right?” Spike asked off in knowing what that means.

“Right, as in….all species; Male & Female,” Phobos pointed out that it was mares & stallions alike, that showed they love Cadance and Twilight enough to wanna help out.

“So that means….I’m like Twilight and her friends?” Cadance spoke off in stump surprise; this was amazing news to hear.

“Welcome to the club, sister-in-law,” Twilight smiled to Cadance in seeing she’s now like the Mane Six & Ben, representatives of elements.

“Cadance…” Soon Cadance’s parents were seen approaching their daughter with worry.

“Mother…father!” Cadance responded to seeing her folks as she went up to hug them from which they all performed it from having the love for each other.

As the scene plays out in which a touching family moment is seen, certain Mystics watch and begin to chat over what they have bear witnessed as a stroke of a miracle.

“Well sister, surely this must show you something. That there does indeed exist love that is true for all gens, mares and stallions. How else would the Element of Love not consider Cadance worthy?” Iron Brave spoke to Frozen Sage in seeing that maybe now, his sister may have a different opinion over the whole never trust stallions and that Cadance’s rule is lacking; now that the princess of the Crystal Empire has become the user of the Element of Love.

“I…suppose so…” Frozen Sage slowly responded in almost being completely lost for words; truly, she was not expecting that a love she believed could as well been false from a stallion and mare….to be true enough that the element of love itself appeared as proof of it.

The Mystic siblings and their family watched on this scene play out, as for when it’s over….there will be much to discuss afterwards. But for now, they’ll let Cadance & Shining and everyone else have their moment. As things go dark with this standing as a show of promise, and a chance for changes to come even from one’s heart frozen over…like ice.

Frozen Sage cleared her throat and spoke, "Princess Cadance; And Princess Twilight. I wish to apologize for my action of today and yesterday. I have let my anger and hatred get passed on me. I am truly sorry for everything. "

"It's okay. At least you learned your lesson." Twilight said to Frozen Sage with a nod, relieved that the Mystic Councilpony has come to her senses.

"Right; After all, you were hurt by a betrayal enough to not see any reason." Cadance said in agreement.

"You had shown me the errors of my way. I thank you for that. Therefore... both you and Shining Armor remained the rulers of this kingdom." Frozen Sage said to the Royal Couple with a smile on her face.

Everyone else, family, friends and Crystal Ponies cheers on excitedly. Spike laughs, "All right, yeah!"

"Looks like we won despite the close calls," Nyx exclaims with a squee as she hug her aunt and uncle. "What a way to come closer to my 3rd birthday!"

"Oh, is it that time already?" Ben teases his daughter, nuzzling her and making the filly giggle.

"However, I will remained and still be the Crystal Empire's Guardian. I will and guide you both in any ways that I can. That would be your reward for helping me." Frozen Sage said with a nod. It's the least that the mare can do after realizing the errors of her ways at last after so many years. Perhaps she still got a lot to learn.

"Cadance! Thank goodness! You're alright! I thought I lost you! And I am sorry too." Lord Chester said, hugging his daughter and apologizing.

"For what," Cadance ask her father puzzled.

"For being foolish and neglecting you so much. As a father, I should have pay attention to you than work."

"It's okay, father. I forgive you. It wasn't your fault that causes this mess. It was MechaStahl! When I find him, I would like to give a piece of my mind to that freak!"

"I'm with you! That guy owes me an apology for insulting my mother." Ben exclaims furiously. MechaStahl has insulted Celestia and the stallion wants to make him apologize for making that big mistake.

"Let's don't forget of what else he did. He tried to kill us when we're kids." Flash exclaims sternly, agreeing with his best pal.

"I'm sure we'll meet him soon. I had the feeling that our fights and encounter will come." Twilight said thoughtfully, having a feeling that the time will come when the group will see MechaStahl again.

"I just hope that it doesn't happen for a long time!" Ace Swift exclaims with a groan.

"Yeah," The siblings exclaims in agreement with their brother.

MechaStahl, on top of one of the buildings, snarled and growled in anger, "Darn it! So close! So close to get rid of those princesses! And I could have gotten Ben to my side! Everything could have gone right, if it weren't for those three brats! I should've killed them when I had the chance! Doesn't matter. I had to report my minor 'failure'. This war has yet to be ending..."

Unknown to him however, Flare Tiger walked around and smiled when she noticed a Gray Unicorn with a white, gentle and short mane and tail, wearing a coat and his Cutie Mark is a Helghast Symbol and a Machinery Gun. The mare walked up to him with a grin.

Flare Tiger grinned while calling, "Howdy?"

'Mr. Stockman' yelped, "Eh!?! Oh, hello, how may I help you?"

Flare Tiger nodded while asking, "Eeyup, are ya' Mr. Stockman?"

'Mr. Stockman' chuckle nervously, "Yea..."

Flare Tiger chuckled, "Well, it's being nice meeting the messenger known as Mr. Stockman, or should Ah said..."

Flare Tiger whisper into 'Mr. Stockman', "MechaStahl?"

MechaStahl gasped in fear, "How....HOW!?!?"

Flare Tiger grinned in evil while showing off her fangs, asking darkly, "So.... Want a 'CupCake'?"

MechaStahl gulped, "What's 'a CupCake'?"

Flare Tiger whisper into MechaStahl's ear as his eyes wide in fear. The mare smiled while adding, "Boo."

MechaStahl yelped as he ran away with anger, "I will be back!"

Flare Tiger giggled, "Oh, Bring fresh meats for me!"

Flare Tiger watched MechaStahl's disappear then turned around and trotted toward Twilight's group to see who win.

Chapter 5: Big Changes

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Chapter 5: Big Changes

Pinkamena and her group were done getting things ready as she says after getting new info from Omega, "Well it seems that all has settled and a whole lot of sadness happen and now Cadence is the holder of the Element of Love."

"Indeed but now all is ready for our newcomers." Golden Heart said with a nod.

She nods as the place was so clean you could eat off the floor........and that is really really clean. The group waits for the newcomers to come.

Jack Zen and group of the Light Elves arrived at Hide out as they enter into the room. Pinkamena notice them coming into the room much to her delight.

Pinkamena smiled as she spoke, "Ah! Welcome to hide out! I'm Pinkamena; Nice to meet ya!"

The female Light Elf step in as she's greet, "Hello Pinkamena, I heard so much about you from Flare Tiger, for my name is Hikari as to my kind, they called me Hikari the Priestess; Nice to meet you."

Havis looked up and saw Hikari pulled her hood off. The Light Elf is awed at the beauty of her figure as Golden Heart walked in and saw Havis stared at Hikari.

Golden Heart chuckled, "You know, it's really rude when you stared at a beautiful elf."

Havis blushed and looked away from Hikari as she was confused and curious to see Havis. The girl smiled when Havis did take a little peek to look back and saw her smiled which got him off guard.

Pinkamena giggled, "Havis, had you greeted yourself to Hikari?"

Havis snapped out of it and bowing, saying, "Hello, My name is Ignis Amras Valge Halo Slayer, but you can call me Havis for short."

Hikari giggled, "What a nice gentleman you are! Flare Tiger spoke highly of you."

They chats each other as the other Light eEves make their felt home in Pinkamena's hideout. Pinkamena could notice Havis and Hikari chats like lovers should do.

Pinkamena grinned while commenting, "I got a good feeling about this..."

----------

Things has calm down in the Crystal Empire. Now that Frozen Sage has accepted Shining and Cadance's rule, as well as stallions again, she and the friends help the Royal Couple with their stressed problems making things more easier; Flare Tiger had recently send a letter to Tao and Celestia, informing them of what happened. They came over at once ASAP.

At the Crystal Empire, Lord Chester put the finishing touches on a system. He grins while saying, "A success! Cadance my dear, now you and Twilight can chat through the phone system at any time, free of charge."

"Thanks, daddy," Cadance giggled, nuzzling her father happily.

"And, I'm proud to announce...that I won't be needing this wheelchair any longer!"

Everyone looks surprised to hear. They are more surprised when Lord Chester begins using magic from his horn, casting a healing spell from himself before standing up. His back legs are healed, he can move around again!

"Chester, you move!" Lady Lesille exclaims, tears of happiness if in her eyes as she and Cadance hug him. "This is the first time in years that you walked...and using magic when you were stubborn to use."

"Well, well, I decided that it's time to stop being stubborn and used my Celestia-given powers to my advantage...as well as fly too." Lord Chester laughs as he begins flying, but crash. "Ouch. Once I mastered the flight of course."

"Don't worry, daddy, flying is difficult but it can be done." Cadance giggles happily as she help Lord Chester to his hooves.

"This is the book that Sir Han had written before his passing." Iron Brave said as he gave a book to his sister.

"What is it so special about this?" Frozen Sage ask puzzled, wondering what's so special about this book.

"His innocence."

Frozen Sage read the journal of Sir Han's. We can hear Sir Han's voice speaking in these words...

'10 B.E.

I had been happy with my life and especially Mystic Pony and my little daughter. But my old friend, Sombra, had been acting strangely ever since he left for his darkest self to deal with.

He asked me to do something foolishly... And I did a horrible thing. I seduced my own wife to get both Elegant Iced Sword and Frozen Shield! Unacceptable! King Sombra told me to use them against her when we usurped the Crystal Empire. I couldn't remember what I did. But I do know one thing. She won't forgive me. The only redemption and forgiveness I get from her is death.

I know my consequence well. I will not serve that monster. I rather died to redeem my mistakes. It was the only way I can earn my forgiveness. And I also pray that her anger wouldn't best her reason and logic from killing or exiling stallions because of me.

If you're reading this, Frost, that means you finally overcome your hatred...'

Frozen Sage sniffed and sobbed in despair and shock, "I can't believe it... My own husband... He sacrificed his own life to be forgiven..." So that's it. Sir Han was forced to turn on her by King Sombra, back when the unicorn was evil. Oh, she was foolish to even think that way, causing her to despise stallions since then.

"Not every stallion is evil as you thought." Iron Brave said to his sister, hugging the mare as he comforts his sister.

"Maybe... But there is one I cannot forgive or let him go."

"Smaug and Grimmore; I agree. They will not be pardoned from this."

"Agree, brother." Frozen Sage said with a stern nod. Smaug and Grimmore are few of the males that she will never forgive ever for their wicked crimes.

"Tao, Princess, it's good to see you two again." Twilight said, nuzzling Celestia with a smile. "And I betcha Flare Tiger told you about the challenge and...everything else."

"Yes, he did..." Celestia said with a disappointed sigh. "And I won't say that I'm a bit happy at this."

"Come here closer." Tao said, motioning Ben, Shining and Flash to come forever. Sensing what is coming, they quickly cover their heads with helmets and come closer...only for the Mystic Pony to hit them in the shins instead! "Do you have any idea what you had done?!"

"Ow! Geez whiz, why must you go for the shins," Flash groans to Tao, feeling his knees smarting.

"Yeah, Tao, what gives? We saved the Crystal Empire...well, Twilight and Cadance did but at least you didn't have to do that!" Shining complains to Tao, his shins are still hurting.

"Fighting with enemies is one thing, but battling and attacking a Mystic Councilpony is more foolish than attacking Dark Mystic Ponies!" Tao exclaims sternly to the trio of stallions who almost lost their lives. "I hope you had learned and realized this lesson. Never challenge with Ultimate Mystic Warriors or Mystic Councilponies!"

"We had no choice!" Ben protests to Tao with a frown. "It's either that or let Frozen Sage have her way with this empire, hating stallions forever and not knowing the truth about Sir Han!"

Celestia sighed, "While your reason is understandable and noted, what I don't like is your foolishly taking the challenge with someone that is too strong and powerful for you to handle! You had me worry this time!"

"Sorry." The stallions said sheepishly. Perhaps they should've been more prepared for the challenge or get someone else stronger to deal with Frozen Sage.

"Next time, if you're doing something to help and defend the citizens, please inform us. I feared that you would not have survived the attacks the next time."

"Yes. Be lucky that the Element of Love had saved you in time." Tao snaps in agreement with Celestia.

"Tao, come on, calm down. We would've won if we would've been more prepared and train harder." Shining said to Tai in insistence. "We just had bad luck that's all."

"Right; we will just do better before even considering doing the challenge again." Ben remarks in agreement with Flash nodding in agreement.

"Ack; Stubborn ponies, all of them," Tao groans, slapping his forehead at the stallion's stubbornness, "Their stubbornness are inherited!"

"Yes, I know." Celestia remarks with a giggle, suspecting where her son got his stubborn nature from.

"Shining got his stubborn nature from mom." Twilight gloats making Shining frown at her. "Mom can be a bit stubborn."

Icy came up to Spike, smiling as she said, "Hey Spike."

"Oh, hey, Icy. What's up?" Spike asks Icy curiously.

"Listen, Spike. I want to say sorry for what my mother had done."

"Hey, no harm done. Everything is okay. I'm just glad your mom knew her error. And I guess Azure and Smartscar weren't kidding about some nasty Mystic Councilpony."

Icy giggled in amusement, "You're funny, and especially I like what you did for the Crystal Empire, oh great and honorable Spike the Brave. That surprised me the most. I finally believe in male ponies and Dragons to be good. Maybe there were some bad ones."

"Wow. So, that's why you support and help us. Thanks." Spike said impressed by Icy's words. "We could use some help and support to stopping Frozen Sage from doing something stupid the next time."

"And one more thing, Spike. I've always wanted to do something for in-return in bringing my mother back from her anger."

"What would that be?"

Icy smiled shyly. She grabbed and pulled Spike close to her and kissed his lips gently and passionately. Spike yelped in surprise but kissed back gently.

"Whoa!" Nyx and Phobos exclaims in shock and surprise.

"Too much information," Omega booms as he turns his eyes off to avoid seeing more of this.

"Rarity's going to peeved." Ben remarks to Twilight in concern.

"I doubt Rarity would even notice." Twilight comments to Ben with a light giggle.

Icy departed from Spike's kissing and smiled shyly, saying, "Sorry. But that's the gift and my thank you. I guess I'll see you someday."

Spike whistled, "Wow... What a filly. So, that's how the kiss feels like. Chihuahua."

"Forget it, Spike, Rarity would be peeved if she catches you with another mare." Phobos comments to Spike with a laugh.

"Hey, I can always have another opinion, right?"

Iron Brave decided to get to an important matter at hand. He trots over to Shining, speaking, "Shining Armor. I have something to tell you. You remembered of what I say that you're the pony I'm looking for?"

"What of it?" Shining ask Iron Brave. Come to think of it, he did remember him saying something like that earlier.

"I was the wielder of Element of Metal, Steel and Magnetism. I've found two of them. One was good but the other was bad. I didn't want to make the same mistake as before until I am so certain that a pony like you are fit to wield it."

"Me? As the Wielder of Element of Steel?"

"Ouch. I spoil the surprise." Iron Brave remarks, slapping his forehead with one hoof. He was going to surprise the prince.

"You're giving it to me?" Shining ask Iron Brave, still bewildered to be hearing this.

"Not yet, Shining Armor. You've got to prove it to me; as in how worthy you really are."

"How?"

Iron Brave smiles as he continues explaining, "A hint won't hurt, I guess. Here's it is; Trust your instincts and the ponies that you love and care; starting with dealing with some authority and a rebel problem at Ponyville."

"Something bad gonna happen at Twilight's home in the future." Shining said seriously, expecting the worst.

Iron Brave nodded as he said, "Yeah. I can feel something's going wrong. And you're the stallion to do it. If you can do that, you might be better than that psychopath killer. I might give you the powerful Element of Steel; Remember, Heart of Steel."

"Got it; and thanks too, Iron Brave."

Twilight is concerned, recalling what Frozen Sage had told her as to not to return to the world where she met the human versions of her friends...and where Celestia's student Sunset Shimmer is living at now. What happened over there? She got to know.

"Tao; I need to ask you something." The Alicorn princess spoke as Tao turned to Twilight. "I was told by Frozen Sage not to go back to the Human Version world because of some extraterrestrial beings' invasion and attacking. Do you know what happen? I hope nothing bad had happen to my Human friends."

"Oh dear," Princess Celestia gasps in shock and worry. The other world is in danger? Could this mean that so is Sunset Shimmer?

"Yes, Frozen Sage mentioned that earlier." Cadance said seriously, recalling what Frozen Sage had mentioned earlier.

"And extraterrestrial beings had invaded and attack?" Shining ask stunned. That doesn't sound good.

"Oh horse feathers!" The Dragons and Nyx exclaims at once and in worry.

"Tao; Do you have any idea what Frozen Sage was referring to?" Ben asks Tao seriously.

Tao sighed, shaking his head as he answers, "To be honest, I don't know what really caused the Humans to be frightened and scared of the aliens. But I do know one thing. They said something about the 'Battle of Chicago'. That might be the reason why Humans feared the extraterrestrials. There were some losses and deaths."

"Is there any way we can help and calm the Humans?" Twilight ask Tao in concern.

“I'm afraid not. The world is consumed in darkness. It's best that you do not go until we learn and know what really had happen to that world.”

Twilight looks down and worried. Her family came over while Nyx said, "It's okay, mommy. I'm sure that Sunset and our friends are safe over there."

"Right, someday, we will find out." Ben said as he nods in agreement. "Until then, we just got to bite the bullet and wait for a while."

Twilight turned and glanced at the mirror that is on display nearby. She spoke, "I only hope our Human friends are safe from the danger. I hope Sunset Shimmer is safe from harm."

---------

EG Version

At a Military Office, a 60-years-old light black Chinese Man with black gentle hair with three spiky yet curved on each side, wearing a blackish and navy mixed military coat with long sleeves, long pants and a white uniform was watching the Chinese News from Hong Kong about the Transformers Incident.

The camera was focusing on Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Crosshair, Drift and Hound talking with the humans about their decision and mission.

The Chinese Reporter spoke, "We're on live at Hong Kong. And once again, despite our feared and concerns of the renegade and vicious Transformers, the Autobots had saved our lives from the danger and attacks from rogue KSI Transformers and Alien Invaders. Be thankful of that one."

A Chinese Man points at Optimus Prime preparing to leave, gasping, "Hey look there! That blue and red robot is leaving!"

"What's going on?" Another Chinese Man asks in worry.

"Where is he going?" A Chinese Girl asks, curious as to where Optimus Prime is about to go off to in such a hurry.

Optimus Prime had his Jet Booster activated and flew up to the sky. Everyone watched and looked at the flying Optimus Prime heading and flying straight to the sky.

The Chinese Reporter continues, "With their leader Optimus Prime's leaving our planet for some kind of communicating with his Creators, he left four Autobots behind as our protectors to defend our home. But Mr. Joyce claimed that Galvatron, a mastermind Man-made Transformers is still rogue and wild but is nowhere to be found after some serious battles. And question remains to all humankind: what will happen next? What should we do? What should the Military do?"

The military chief commander turned the TV off. He turned and found One-Eyed Anger, a black spiky 50s brown Chinese Man with a black patch eye on his right and had a small beard and mustache, dressed in a navy military officer's suit, coming in. He spoke to him, "What do you have to report?"

"Harold Attinger is dead. What should we do? Should we finish the Autobots, Azure?" Anger asks Azure in concern.

Azure shook his head as he answers, "No... I was thinking of... rebuilding our alliance. With Galvatron on the run and more darker Transformers' attacking and invading from space, we need the surviving Autobots to help us to defend our home. And this time, I won't make the same mistake as Attinger did."

"I understand. Both Attinger and Joyce are fools to trust Lockdown and that dead Decepticon. Unlike you, cousin, you see a bigger picture than they both."

Azure nodded his head as he continues, "Yes. Because there is a threat we need to be dealing with."

"Who, cousin," Anger ask his cousin, wondering what Azure was talking about. Azure passed a file to Anger as he took a glance on it. He saw a picture of Twilight Sparkle and her friends in different pictures such as their arrival at the Pony Statue, their Anthro Forms, fighting with Sunset Shimmer and her gang, and the destruction of buildings. "You make a point. I supposed your Black Ops are still investigating?"

"Yes. We will find the truth. And when I do, I will see this alien with my own eyes. If they show some hostility towards mankind, I will kill them unless they prove otherwise to me. I will defend mankind at all cost. But first...dispose the Cemetery Wind Agents. They will be troubles in the future; some will exact the revenge on our allies."

"Yes sir."

--------------

The scene opens up to where in the dead of night as we find Sunset Shimmer was walking through the dark town alley in trying to go back and find her friends: The Main Five.

“Well this is great, I tried to find those girls, and I don’t even know where I am,” Sunset Shimmer spoke off in trying to recognize the location; not so much there. “I’m lost. Oh, I never should have left those I consider my friends. They were the only ones I have now, and I’m alone.” She moans to say this to think things are looking kinda hopeless now.

“I wouldn’t say that. miss.” Spoke a strange voice from out of nowhere; and it wasn’t very friendly either.

Suddenly surrounding Sunset Shimmer with dark mysterious masked soldier guys as they were surrounding the girl on all sides to cut her off.

This may look like the end for Sunset Shimmer, as these dark masked wearing soldiers seem like they are about to have her at their mercy.

“Say nighty-night, girly.” One dark masked soldier spoke in about to attack when…he got lasso by someone that pulled him back? “Hugh! What the…gugh!” He was about to ask when some girl nearby her ropes to hold the thug; it was Applejack.

“Listen here, ye darn dirty varmints! Ye mess wit' one of us! Ye mess wit' ALL o' us!” AJ was protesting forth this speech while she and the rest of the Main Five show in coming to Sunset’s rescue and looking raring to fight. Pinkie Pie blow a party blowing noise maker in sounding off to that.

“Get them!” The lead dark masked soldier ordered his troops as they all growl in agreement.

“Hey, up here!” Rainbow Dash spoke off before she dives off from above a fire escape and knocked two goons so hard, they spin around until they are dizzy and fall down out cold.

“You-who; Come and get me!” Pinkie Pie was seen trying to taint one soldier to chase her while she bounces happily, she wasn’t worry and her purser or was too busy to think otherwise.

“Don’t forget about little old me!” Rarity happily tried to use her flare of beauty to get another masked soldier to chase her as he swung to hit, but miss.

Fluttershy was running and did a spin move around a fire escape ladder while the soldier got tangled in any cloth material that slowed him down. AJ was seen taking another of her rope and let another soldier come after her, but…

“Yiikkes,” The leader of these dark masked soldiers yelped as he almost had AJ, but got pulled back from not noticing the trap he spring and made him get slingshot back to knock into his buddies; taking them out cold.

“TADA,” Pinkie Pie appeared to throw party favors in celebrating their work, but…

“Why you little…” One dark masked soldier that was left unaccounted for almost went to attack the pink girl, but… “Gaaaugh…Guuuaagh…” But then without warning, a fast ball was thrown that knock the creep down from touching the pink girl, much to her surprise.

And it was Sunset Shimmer that managed to perform the deed, a bit shaken, but she seems fine now. It seems she somehow took some of the school’s baseballs & a bat with her as some manner of self-defense, and she seems to hit a home-run in saving Pinkie Pie. As she got on her feet, she was surrounded by those she calls friends.

“Boy, are we glad ye came looking’ fer us,” AJ responded with a smile in seeing Sunset came for them.

“Hugh, not as half I’m glad that you all found me.” Sunset smiled in stating she’s even more glad her friends found her.

“Truth of the matter dear Sunset, we know you may be lost without us.” Rarity spoke with a gentle and kind tone to address this.

“Yeah, Equestria High may have had hard times needing you in the past from whatever problems you did.” Rainbow Dash shrug off to say this while toning the matter down ‘just’ a tiny bit.

“But we are glad to have you as a friend, that’s a first step to helping another out.” Fluttershy pats Sunset’s shoulder to say this.

Sunset Shimmer felt so touch by such words, that without warning, she was gotten into a group hug…one she liked to enjoy. The gang was gonna enjoy this for a while and then finish whatever else they were doing before…. That, and call in the authorities to deal with this night attacking mask wearing dark soldier creeps.

------------------------------

Equestria Prime

After Frozen Sage gave her little farewell words to the Sparkle Family, her own family went off now. Hopefully despite the case of all that has happened, and all the mis-confusions that played out....Frozen Sage can make up for it, time to stop living in the past, and live for the future.

"Can I have a word with you all, before leaving to join with my family," Iron Brave spoke to the group in wanting to tell them something before he goes after Frozen Sage and his family that were ahead of going somewhere.

"Oh course, what is it?" Twilight nods in feeling okay with that.

"You all managed to survive against Frozen Sage, but you should still be careful." Iron Brave spoke in giving some words of caution here. "Between fighting Ultimate Warrior classes of Mystic & Dark Mystics, you also have to watch against Grimmore's Elite Warriors. They are no joke despite what my sister said in making them sound less important. They aren't, believe me." The guy spoke in giving a serious statement over the matter of being watchful of strong foes in the future.

"Wait, just how strong is those guys?" Phobos yelped in having a bad feeling about this chat.

"Let’s just say they are strong, the Elite Warriors would stand near Mystic Councilmen & the Demon Generals, to even Ultimate Warrior Class. And it's like you said, last time any of us fought them was a very, very long time ago." Iron Brave spoke that Grimmore's strongest warriors have gotten stronger to points that they are not the same as they were in the past, even the Mystics & Dark Mystics who think one way, aren't seeing the bigger picture.

"Then....could they now be stronger?" Nyx spoke in feeling a tiny bit nervous now.

"Man, just surviving against the Apocalypse Ponies and those Dark Mystics giving us trouble, and now we have to be on the lookout for the enemies from the TOP branch of the Three Lords' board!" Phobos moans to complain, sure Grimmore side might not have done much...yet, but the guy maybe lying in wait for the chance to strike while the gang get soften up by the other foes.

"Hopefully, that won't be for some time now." Ben explained in feeling that they'll not face such strong opponents for some time, they'll need more time and such to prepare...

"Well, that's all I wanted to say, until then...good luck to you all. I have a feeling you'll need it." Iron Brave spoke in giving these words to the group before he slowly turns away and begins to catch up to his family.

Soon Iron Brave leaves, Twilight's group were in thought of what was spoken. Frozen Sage was tough, but she isn't the only strong competitor, there still exist many more strong adversaries, some even far stronger. The gang will have to slowly fight against the Three Lords, from the Apocalypse Ponies to the Dark Mystics before reaching the top powerful being of all; Grimmore. But Twilight smiles a bit in trying to cheer her family up, saying they'll just have to be ready when facing such enemies...one by one. The scene fades from here as all goes dark from here in what played out....

--------------------------

The scene soon opens up towards the train station of the Crystal Empire where Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Spike & Phobos were preparing to board their train mark for home back in the Rainbow Kingdom, A.K.A. Ponyville central. And there were those that were a part of the family that were there to say farewell to the gang, like Shining Armor & Cadance.

“Twily, you and everyone here really helped us out, you know that?” Shining Armor smiled to hug his sister for being there to help him out when they needed it.

“Hey, you are my BBBFF, aren’t you?” Twilight smiled off to mention who her brother is to her.

“Short for Big Brother Best Friend Forever,” Phobos stated out what BBBFF stands for if anyone forgot.

“Yeah, that about sums it up alrigh,.” Spike slowly nods in thinking that they pretty much got that.

“So how about you Cadance, your stress matter is settled.” Ben asked off if his cousin is now all better and is not as stressful when they first saw each other.

“Very much cousin; what with all I had to deal with, I’m just very glad it all turn out okay in the end.” Cadance happily nods while expressing herself in a good way to speak.

“Right, there were some pretty close callings in what almost happened.” Nyx nods to agree, what happened from their visit was kinda almost out of hand, or hoof in the case of pony point.

“I point out the facts, but….I rather not for fear of making anyone annoyed or tense.” Phobos shrugs off to say that he point out errors, but he doesn’t feel like that.

“Wow, first time you can actual say something like that.” Spike spoke off surprise that Phobos isn’t gonna say something foolish over what happened when they were staying here.

“Hey, I’m not THAT Clueless at times, kay?” Phobos protest out in hearing what was being said about him.

This caused a little laughter from the ponies from hearing the baby Dragons discussion help lift their spirits.

“Twilight, please continue to take care of things in your kingdom. I know being a princess of a kingdom isn’t easy?” Cadance asked kindly to her sister-in-law to take care of things back in her home.

“Believe me, I’m gonna try my best.” Twilight nods with a proud smiley face to tell her close friend & sister-in-law that.

“And she won’t be doing it alone. She’ll have me and our pals.” Ben patted Twilight’s back to say that the princess has her beloved prince to help in hard times along with their friends.

“Right, the Council of Friendship!” Spike nods in stating that the Mane Six will help Twilight out in running their own kingdom.

“Made up of the Mane Five plus Twilight,” Phobos pointed out how the Council of Friendship is made up of the six ponies.

“Hey, you forgot to add me too.” Spike spoke off in correcting Phobos’s lost track of adding him.

“Why? It’s got a throne around that circle table for six ponies?” Phobos asked off puzzled in what Spike’s deal was.

“I have a seat next to Twilight!” Spike pointed out he has a little seat he sits next to Twilight.

“Oh yeah; Well how come I don’t have one,” Phobos remarked the fact that how come Spike has a thrown and he don’t.

“Boys, boys….your starting to whine about that issue like Discord did.” Nyx pushed the baby Dragons from arguing over such a silly manner.

“Right, sorry.” Both baby Dragons sighed in seeing they made a scene from their foolish and silly argument.

“Heh-heh, take care you guys.” Shining Armor lets off a nice little chuckle to ask that his sister take care of herself.

“Goodbye brother, goodbye Cadance.” Twilight smiled off to say as she and her family were moving onto the train.

“We’ll try to visit again, some other day.” Ben waved back to say this as they were hopping aboard their ride.

“Bye-bye!/Bye!/See ya!” Nyx, Spike & Phobos were waving and saying their farewells as well here.

With that, the Sparkle Family rides the train off after it shut its doors; next stop, their home in the Rainbow Kingdom. Both Shining Armor & Cadance watched on happily in seeing their fellow friends & family members head off home, it was nice of them to stop by, they needed the help in whatever surprises came at them. Hopefully, there won’t be any more surprise for a little while now…

“Princess Cadance! Prince Shining Armor,” A voice was calling the rulers of the Crystal Empire as one of their Crystal Pony Royal Guard stops nearby from rushing so quickly here. “I have a message for the princess.” He spoke to bow with stating he has some important news to tell.

“What is it?” Cadance asked in being curious, what could be so important that it’s meant for her,

“You are due to prepare your new meeting with the Mayor of Manehattan who wants to discuss business ordeals.” The Crystal Guard explained the case of another important figure head from another area is coming over to speak with the princess of the Crystal Empire.

“Oh boy; after dealing with your parents and a visit from Mystics, settle an arguing family issue about me & my wife, & against a guest that gave us a hard time. Hugh, can we not get even a break from so much that has happen this week?” Shining Armor moans to complain over this stressful matter of what he and his wife had to deal with as he sighs from feeling it’s all overbearing them to be tired out.

“Easy Shiny, you seem as stress out as I was and the time I left you to handle things.” Cadance patted her love’s back to be at ease, she hasn’t seen him like this since the last time that she was away.

“Right, the only matter I help settle was the plumbing those two plumbers did for the castle, the rest…I wasn’t train for.” Shining Armor sheepishly admits to rub the back of his head, the time Twilight came over to hang with him, he was really busy and the event with the Crystal Ghost matter that needed to be solved.

“Why not get some rest and the guard here will escort me to meet the Manehattan Mayor. If this is about political stuff, I can handle it. I’m certain everything will be alright.” Cadance spoke in wanting her love to be at ease, nothing will go wrong and that she’ll be fine in what other business to attend to.

“Alright, I trust you. Good luck.” Shining Armor sighs in defeat, when his wife makes a point, there’s no stopping her.

With a kiss from the princess to her prince, Cadance soon walks with the Crystal Guard to head off to where she is due to meet with yet another important visitor to discuss matters of politics, city & citizen handling, and much other boring detail stuff that comes with running a wide populated area; be it city or a kingdom. But unknown to those around, something was hidden behind the shadows…something that showed a face….and made an evil grin expression to silently chuckle under his breath while fading in the darkness. Seems like while certain matters in the Crystal Empire maybe settle and everything has become peaceful for the kingdom and those that visited the rulers….a mysterious dark shadow looms over the area. And as everything fads away, this case will be solved and answered….for another time.

--------------------

Meanwhile, back at the secret dungeon below Sugarcube Corner, another little event was playing out. Pinkmena is reading one of her books, before her large mechanical pal came to discussion something with her. After Omega told her and those that were nearby of what happened, and everything went happy in the end, somewhat depending on those with their own thoughts of the matter.

"Hmm, it seems Sombra is in thought." Pinkamena spoke off to say from what she heard now.

Sombra was in thought of what was explained thus far. There was one pony in the room that noticed this.

"Are you okay?" Autumn Gem looks at him with a puzzled face in seeing distracting the stallion.

"I am not sure." Sombra responded off to say in being unsure at this moment.

Autumn Gem nuzzles Sombra's cheek from sensing some tense and stress hesitation in the guy's voice.

"Was it what Pinkamena said about our home?" Autumn Gem questioned her love's train of thought that was ever working after what Pinkamena told them of what was going on.

Sombra sighs a bit before he begins to explain the case concerning his 'former' empire, his former home before going astray. "It's not my home anymore, not after all I done to them, my subjects, used them as slaves. All I did to them, all the doings, even if it was the evil that was magically brought out of me, all the actions that history remembers as King Sombra will burn forever in them." Sombra knew what history recorded about him, and it was an act that was very hard to even be forgiven.

Pinkamena, Golden Heart, Jack Zen and Havis were near as they heard what Sombra said to feel concern for the guy in having him remember his old ways.

Autumn Gem places a hoof on Sombra's face as she tries to help him out over the issue. "Do not blame yourself for what happened. It was never your fault; all you wanted was to help your kingdom and me. The evil ones, those never known in history or recorded, used that to their own game to gain an ally. But your back to normal and no matter what they say, I will be by your side no matter what." She spoke with some assuring confidence that no matter what, Sombra is no longer the evil King Sombra he was long ago.

Autumn Gem hugs Sombra as she lightly lets her tears slip out of her eyes, feeling some emotional feelings be brought out.

"I never thought of you as a monster, no matter what you became, I knew deep in that dark monster, you were there. Trying to break free, and now, you are free...at last." Autumn Gem looks up with a smile in feeling so glad this stallion is free of being used as an evil monster.

"But the evil, the darkness that was once fused with me all the years, it's still out there. Pinkamena told me it escape it's holding jar and she blasted it to who knows where." Sombra sighed in speaking with remorse of knowing the evil that was once him escaped from being destroyed; it may come back.

"I know you will beat it, I have faith in you." Autumn Gem leans to Sombra's neck to softly speak her thoughts of belief; that this stallion won't lose.

Sombra looks very touch by those words as he slowly returns the feelings of Autumn Gem with a hug.

"Yeah Sombra, cheer up. Cause after all, you have the upper hand, or hoof in this case, because there is no ice cold waters here for it to gain the upper hand and it's horn was blown right off from the blast of the Crystal Heart. So even if the 'Evil' Sombra, as we're dubbing it, does take it's form, it will most likely be looking for its horn. So you will have time to be ready." Pinkamena explains the issue of what happened during the act of when she found Sombra, his horn was busted, and even after riding the evilness, that dark side of the guy won't have the ice field of a lake to gain the upper advantage of Sombra, so the guy will win next time.

The others nod to that statement the pink pony brought up as Sombra and Autumn Gem break the hug to see how well thought the others were being for them.

"But for now, we need to get ready to show you to our friends and the Princesses. And BOOOOY, they will be SOOOOOOOO very surprise, seeing you a good guy once more. Besides that other Sombra from another alternate worldly dimension, etc," Pinkamena explained this little issue, though that last stuff sounded kinda like a random fourth wall breaking statement.

"Are you sure?" Sombra asked in hoping that could be true.

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" Pinkamena did the movement and made a Pinkie Promise that everything will be fine cause they better be, if it goes too wrong, it be like she broke a promise; and NOBODY should dare do that!

The others around all nods in agreeing to that idea as Sombra is still worried about this, but Autumn Gem nuzzles his cheek while getting his attention.

"Our friends will be with you, and also I will be by your side." Autumn Gem explained this to her love that she'll be there to help Sombra if things look bad.

Sombra smiles and nuzzles Autumn Gem back for those kind words.

"Okay! Let’s go! And Havis, you stay and look after your sleeping brothers and sisters, kay." Pinkamena got up to say this while asking the Light Elf to stay to hold down the fort.

Havis heard this request as he nods in agreement; after all, it's still too soon for anyone to know of the awareness of the Light Elves. Soon Pinkamena, Golden Heart, Jack Zen, & Omega head off along with Sombra and Autumn Gem following. During the moment, Pinkamena was looking at us viewers with this Fourth Wall Breaking Message.

"It is time for our friends to know about Sombra being good once more, and boy will they all be surprise about it, and if any of the bad guys see us, I am sure the one who made Sombra evil will be scared. Because either Sombra or me will be dealing with him/her one way or another," Pinkamena issued off this very random sentence of out nowhere.

The others are lightly puzzled by what Pinkamena did just now. But Sombra nods to the strange statement the pink pony made; as he was recalling that night a 1000 years ago, when that unknown hooded pony came and made all that happen to him and the empire; fall into ruin. Wheather Sombra will meet that fiend again, that is for the future to decide...and for him to make amends.

The End...for now!

Major Cast

Britt McKillip: Princess Cadance, Chinese Girl
John Hurt: Lord Chester
Andrew Francis: Shining Armor, Blaze Leo
Tara Strong: Twilight Sparkle, Twilight Moon
Jason Marsden: Ben Mare
Michelle Ruff: Frozen Sage
Cathy Weseluck: Spike the Dragon
Daveigh Chase: Nyx
Chris Sanders: Phobos the Dragon
Vic Mignogna: Omega
David Lodge: Iron Brave
Kristen Bell: Princess Ivy, Hikari the Light Elf
Laura Bailey: Royal Solflare
Cindy Robinson: Stormwar
Mae Whitman: Lady Lesille
Vincent Tong: Flash Sentry
Emma Watson: Flare Tiger
Jennifer Hale: Aurora Borealis, Midnight Moonlight
Sean Schemmel: Ace Swift
Malcolm McDowell: MechaStahl

Minor Cast

Andrea Libman: Pinkamena Diane Pie, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy
Orlando Bloom: Golden Heart
Matthew Mercer: Tso Lan
Ashleigh Ball: Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Various Crystal Ponies
Tabitha St. Germain: Rarity
Gilbert Gottfried: Iago
Brian Drummond: Jack Zen, Various Crystal Ponies
Kelly Hu: Iris Crystal
Jayson Thiessen: Havis the Light Elf, Chinese Reporter
Nicole Oliver: Princess Celestia
Sab Shimono: Mystic Tao
Douglas Rye: Azure Phoenix
Kirk Thornton: One-Eyed Anger
Rebecca Shoichet: Sunset Shimmer
Jim Miller: King Sombra
Lara Jill Miller: Autumn Gem
Peter New: Various Crystal Ponies, Chinese Men

With special guest appearance by
Sharlto Copley: Sir Han

The Hardships of Ruling an Empire

by JusSonic

Chapter 1: Return to the Crystal Empire

Chapter 2: Points of Views

Chapter 3: Stallions' Worth

Chapter 4: The Power of Love

Chapter 5: Big Changes