When the war began a special princess saw an opportunity to expand. Remaining neutral but secretly planning how she can take the scraps of both side for herself after the war ends; leading her down the path of dictatorship.
As the spells rain from the sky I watch as they destroy Equestria while the Crystal Empire’s defense systems stop any that threaten my citizens. I have lost everyone I loved but I can’t dwell on the past. With my parents dead the Crystal throne goes to me. Once the radiation dissipates the Crystal empire shall expand, but I need to prepare. I have prepared for this day. The empire's walls will keep the radiation out while the storm generator will keep life from the wasteland away. I can’t watch it forever though, as I have other things to attend to.
"Well, are you ready Gemstone.”
“I don’t know. I know you mean well, but are you sure this will work?”
"Of course we’ve tested it on other ponies. Do you think I would want to go through with this without prior testing?"
"It would have been nice if we could have tested these pods longer, but I guess will have to take that chance.”
Gemstone is a confident pony. She has the endurance and strength of her mother Limestone, and the confidence of her father Geode. Her main flaw was she had a mind ahead of its time. Her stepping into the pod is probably the last time I’ll see that electric blue mane of and gray coat of hers for a long time.
"All ponies accounted for Empress."
"Good, what about the DNA samples?"
"Accounted for as well."
"Very well you may begin."
The cryogenic sequence was fast to take effect. After the cryogenic seaquants Fully initialized I examined the pods. Gemstone Diamond, and Starlight Glimmer were in two of the pods while the rest were irrelevant. Starlight may have supported both sides during the war by helping Fluttershy develop the Megaspells for Mass Healing and then helped the zebras weaponize them, but the desire to make them stronger was something I couldn't let slip away. There was a cryo container meant for holding DNA samples. I examined the labels on them through the glass. Most of them were irrelevant but two stood out. One had the DNA of a mare named Rainbow Dash, while the other one had the DNA of a stallion named Soarin. Those should prove to be useful. I plan to wait for this Littlepip she blabbered about to die then I'll strike.
Watching Gemstone and Starlight thawing out and exiting their pods was a sight for sore eyes.
“Is it time?”
“Yes. It has been 190 years since the war ended. In that time Crystal Empire technology has become superior to technology from the past.”
“Did you keep your promises?”
“Yes Gemstone, you will be able to develop your synths, and Starlight will be able to Improve her BaleFire bomb design.”
With Gemstone and Starlight following behind me we traveled out of the Cryo Storage Stable; before leaving I turned my head to look at one of the other Cryo pods. One containing a pegasus named Flash Sentry. I’m not fond of keeping him around but I’ll need him later. With my skill of magic I teleported them and myself to the facility where they would be continuing their work.
“This place is isolated and still has great access to the ocean.”
“So how are we supposed to enter the facility? I don’t see an entrance.”
"Teleportation or submarine of course. The teleportation device is not working right now so we will be taking a submarine.”
Just then a submarine surfaced. After it fully surfaced he got inside. After traveling for a little while the sub surfaced in the submarine docking wing of the facility. After docking we got out and looked around. There were already Scientist and Security guards getting settled in. I explained to them that this is just the central facility. There are several other facilities scattered about other remote locations they report back to hear. I left them to get settled in while I teleported to Crystal City, the capital of the Crystal Empire. As an empress, I don’t have much free time; I've still got 25 years of preparation.
Waking up in the quiet crystal palace has become routine to me. I get up and look in the mirror. That dark purple scar still remains from when I was sick with a magic disease called Wither Heart. Wither Heart is an incurable disease that is only detectable once the host starts showing symptoms. The grater ones skill is in magic the worse the symptoms become. It was thanks to a gamble I took with experimental surgery I survived when every other magic user of my skill infected with Wither heart has died. After starring in the mirror I get ready for the day. I head to the kitchen after picking out my outfit for the day. My butler Deeds was waiting for me.
“Good morning empress. What do you desire today?”
“I desire my usual breakfast.”
“Rite away madam”
Deeds is a strange stallion who's always around when I need him for a task. He freaks out the other government officials, but I don't judge when you have lived for 243 years you kind of get used to that sort of thing. After having breakfast I ran diagnostics on my pipbuck; a robotic voice then played.
I may prefer swords but I'm still very capable with guns and explosives.
“Endurance Skills: Toughness: 5, Life Giver: 3, Star Metal Skeleton: 5. Cannibal: 1.”
That last one confuses me more than anything else. I have never eaten a pony. I have eaten zebra before but is that cannibalism? I’d imagine the Ministry of Peace would have said it is, but everyone else would probably have said it’s just disgusting.
“Charisma Skills: Local leader: 3, Intimidation: 3.”
I may be an incredible leader to my people, but the enemies have always been terrified of me.
At that moment I reached the balcony. Looking out I could see the rooftops of the many buildings in Crystal City, the capital of the Crystal Empire. The balcony looks out over the southern side of the city. Flying to see the north side I can see the ore mines to the north. It’s a good thing I kept the knowledge of those ore reserves under lock and key or else Luna would have had more incentive to pressure my parents into taking sides so the ore could be drained for Equestria’s stupid war. Now the ore is being mined for the Crystal Empire’s industry. I Flew over to the mines for their monthly inspection. The manager of the mine was in his office when I arrived.
“Oh Welcome Empress you’re early.”
“I know I've had to reschedule my week on very short notice and I didn't have time to send a prior notice.”
We quickly walked around the mine seeing everything was operating without any issues. Upon reaching the maglev yard, I noticed a few security guard ponies were apprehending some pony. Walking over I noticed a maglev engine wasn't hovering as it should and showed signs of tampering.
“Common thief?” I ask the guards
“Yes, we caught him in the act.”
“Sorry about this Empress. I’ll call a Maglev technician to fix the engine.”
‘It’s all right sir. You can’t plan for everything. You passed the inspection.”
A notification then appeared on my Pipbuck. It read that I had to attend a meeting with Starlight and Gemstone who have settled well into their new lives. I quickly eye the pony how tampered with the maglev.
“Tell the authorities I would like to see the tape of his interrogation. I would tell them myself but I’ve got somewhere else I need to be.”
Before I could hear a response, I used my magic to cast a teleportation spell.
I teleported to Ocean Megaspell Facility 1 where Gemstone and Starlight were located. The facility is one of 4 built in the ocean; the war had left several islands that would have made fine strongholds gone or too small to be useful. Building the facilities was not easy. Ocean infrastructure has to endure harsh weather and there were pirates. Most of the Pirates were using sailboats, but there were a few using old military vessels. They were not a big problem, but they were a problem nonetheless.
“Welcome empires. Now that you are here, I’d like to discuss an issue that has been bothering me.”
“Sure thing Starlight, what's the issue?”
“The artillery has scared off the pirates using sailboats, but the ones with those fucken military ships have not given up! They have to be dealt with!”
Gemstone then entered the room.
“Starlight, I may have a solution. Meet Courser R6-S8.” Behind her was a pegasus wearing a pair of sunglasses along with the usual courser jacket whose traits were a blend of Rainbow’s and Sorin’s. She removed her sunglasses revealing that her left eye was magenta, and her right eye was emerald green.
“I see you have put a good use to the DNA. Now may you explain how she different from previous cursors”
To my surprise R6-S8 began to speak in a semi robotic Rainbow Dash voice.
“I can survive in almost any toxic environment. I may look like a normal pony on the outside but my skeleton is cybernetically enhanced. I have much higher endurance, strength, intelligence, and agility”
I just rolled my eyes.
“Can she deal with the problem or not?”
“Yes I’ve already briefed her on the pirates.” Gemstone's earrings began to glow and she levitated an object out of her saddle bag which she gave to R6-S8. “When you get on the ship, place this time bomb in the engine room. Make sure to prevent the crew from closing watertight doors. The ship will go under when the bomb detonates.”
Just then the facility's raid alarm went off. R6-S8 made a run for the nearest exit. I teleported outside and flew up to watch the show. R6-S8 along with a few other Coursers made it to the ships and began to plow through the zebras. The zebras must think Equestria and the Crystal Empire are one of the same even though they’re not! My mother Princess Cadence declared neutrality when the war began and my father; Shining Armor, agreed. That did not go over well with my aunt Twilight and Princess Luna. Twilight and Luna Felt betrayed while Fluttershy was mostly grateful. The other ministry mares and my cousin didn't take a side. Ponies like Gemstone who wanted no part in the war immigrated to the Crystal empire; Although I think Gemstone would have been ok with the war happening if a lid could have been kept on it for a year. She was studying abroad when the war started and had to return home a year sooner than she was planning to. Realizing the opportunity to get information about why these pirates are raiding the facility I started flying to the ships.
Reaching one of the ships I withdrew my swords and started fighting my way towards the bridge. R6-S8 joined shortly after.
“Empress, why are you here?”
“I want to get information on why these pirates continue to attack the facility.”
“They must not know about the other 3 locations, but I’m guessing that's not the info your after”
“You would be right. I want to know why they are attacking this one location.”
We made short work of the zebra pirates in our way. When we stood outside the door to the bridge I put away my swords and drew my magic energy rifle. R6 ripped the door of its hinges. She took out the crew as I went for the captain.
“Hey what are you-”
“Chillout asshole.”
He immediately went silent seeing who I was. A pure alicorn when there are so many mutated abominations that call themselves Alicorns is thought to be a legend.
“F-Flury-”
“I DON’T NEED TO HEAR MY OWN NAME! Now, you're going to tell me why you keep attacking the territory of a neutral country!”
“T-the war is never-”
“YOUR WAR WAS WITH EQUESTRIA! NOT THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE! THE EMPIRE WAS AND STILL REMAINS NEUTRAL!”
In my frustration I grab the zebra's neck in my magic. Withdrawing one of my swords; placing it to his chest.
“Now if you know my name you must know what makes it so infamous among your kind.”
I smile as he nod’s fearfully.
“So start talking and don’t give me any excuses. I can’t be lied to.”
“Y-your ponies ravage our oceans w-with your structures before our very eyes.”
“Your oceans?”
His response makes me hysterical.
“This is international waters. They don’t belong to any one. You don’t have a good reason do you? You're just petty.”
After that I plug my sword into his chest then cut out his heart. I pick up the heart with my magic and give it a bite. Turning around I see R6-S8 looking at me in disgust.
“What” I responded with.
“If I could puke I would. That’s the most unsanitary thing I’ve ever seen.”
“So, your not the one doing it”
“But do you have any idea where that's been? I guess it’s technically not cannibalism but it’s still disgusting.”
I just toss the heart aside. “It didn't taste as good as I remember. Most Likely the corrupt DNA it’s made from. Well this ship if I heard gemstone correctly she ordered you to make this ship go under so this isn't the best place to argue.”
At that moment we heard an explosion rocking the ship. I use my magic to shatter the glass of a window and fly out with R6-S8 flying behind me. Looking back at the ship I see it has begun to sink.