It started like any other day. Sky Warrior got up at 0400 just like he’s always done. Nothing seemed out of order. He shouted orders to the new privates that were just recruited about three days back. And then at 0800, he took up his post as captain of the guard for then onto 1130. After his break, he walks back to his blockhouse. Like most times, he’s walking back alone with no friend in the world besides his wife who has now been dead for half a century. He didn’t care for friends nor did he want to care.

Strangely though, when the clock in Sky Warrior’s blockhouse rang for 1200, a letter was delivered. This is very unordinary as he doesn’t normally get mail. He grabs it and chuckles lightly while thinking to himself, “Must be another one of those promotion applications or one of those letters from the *ahem* special soldiers.”

This wasn’t either of those things. He saw the seal with the golden C on it. “Oh shit,” he exclaimed, “It’s from the Princess!” Reading it eagerly, he learns that his long-time enemy, Queen Chrysalis and the changelings are assembling not too far from the Crystal Empire.

“Wait,” he looked up after seeing the words, Crystal Empire, “where in Equestria is that?”

The messenger nonchalantly shrugs. “Beats me, I’m only Celestia’s messenger.”

After hearing this, he looks rather dumbfounded, “The Princess sends a letter for me to protect something I know nothing of nor care about? There must’ve been some mistake.”

“Uh, it says ‘Addressed to Commander Sky Warrior.’”

“I know what it says! I got to see the Princess at once,” growls Sky Warrior as whirls a smack across the messenger’s face and takes off towards the throne room where Celestia normally is writing letters to her assistant stationed as intelligence in the Canterlot Library.

Landing in the center with tremendous that rather spooked the graceful figure only slightly bigger than himself and five feet away, he slaps the letter down in front of her.

“What is the meaning of this,” he asked. “Why the fuck do you want me to go to the Crystal Empire to protect a bunch of worthless crystal ponies?”

Understanding this sudden outburst, the princess begins in a calm graceful tone, “These ponies are as much important as they are any other pony. I mean, it’s not like they’re anything else.”

“But they’re CRYSTAL ponies,” raising his tone slightly but respectively, “what point is there in that?”

“I assure you that they are very important and perform a feat none of us are able to do,” she responds calmly still.

Scoffing at the sound and jokingly grumbles to himself, “They must walk on two legs or something.”

Celestia, hearing this, breathes deeply to keep calm and not to throw him in a jail in the place that he was banished to, “Alright. It might be helpful if I did a brief rundown about the Crystal Ponies.”

She sits down and begins, “The Crystal Ponies are an ancient race. They’ve been here long before the split between the earth ponies, pegasus, and unicorns. Their culture is equally as ancient as they with old magic such as this generation has ever seen. The form of this magic is there is a Crystal Heart in the center of the palace in the center of the Empire.
It was once stolen from its place, and the ponies were enslaved. When enslaved and without the Crystal Heart to power them, the Crystal ponies felt no life, no memory, nothing. Practically, they were dead. However, Shining Armor as you may know and Princess Cadence cast the evil ruler out, and with the help of six unique ponies from Ponyville, the Crystal Heart was returned, thus, returning the life to the Crystal Ponies. It is by the love of the Crystal Ponies that keeps it safe. That is why I’m sending you, my greatest commander, to aid the Crystal Ponies in the defense of the Crystal Empire because without the Crystal Empire, I fear that one day, it’ll drain the life and hope from all of Equestria.”

Sky Warrior sits and ponders on how the Crystal Ponies power the Crystal Heart to activate the safe-shield. “Perhaps it’s a switch to be thrown,” he thought, “No. Maybe a generator? No. Sundrop? Nah. Dammit.” He then asks her slowly, “How do the Crystal Ponies power the Crystal Heart.”

She smiles and chuckles lightly at this question. “The Heart is powered by the love of the Crystal Ponies. As long as the ponies are there, the Crystal Heart will provide some protection. But they are going to need all the help they can get. Won’t take much though; preferably about 50 guards will do. A local there has agreed to house you for the reminder of your stay there. Shouldn’t be any more than about three to four days.”

“50 guards?!” he cried out now disregarding that the person he’s talking to is higher class. “How the fuck am I to save an entire Empire with only 50 guards?! I’ll never be able to protect the Crystal Empire! You’re not bullshitting with me right? I mean, this is the CHANGELING ARMY we’re talking about here. You honestly have some extreme faith in those *ahem* Crystal Ponies.”

Again, disregarding this outburst, she continues, “I’m pretty sure you will find this trip to be more than what you perceive it to be. Go to the library to see someone who’s studied the Crystal Empire and even saw the Crystal Heart replaced into its original glory. Anything here, I will provide besides men. I’m only giving 50 soldiers and that’s it.”

“This is bullshit,” grumbled Sky Warrior, “I can’t protect an empire, let alone a castle, with 50 soldiers.” He begins to speak up, “Is there any way to convince you to give me 100?”

“Sorry, but no,” shaking her head, “but I’m pretty sure you’ll do just fine with 50, since there’s more to a battle than just numbers.”

“I guess so,” shrugs the commander, “but I’m sure to regret ever going to this.”

The princess gets up and chuckles, “We’ll see.”

Author's Note

So yea. My first story. Woohoo! This is a great kick-off to an awesome fanfic I have in mind. It's based truly off of the ideals portrayed in the original show even though the two main characters are not (there will be another later on).

Good so far? Should I keep going. Tell me what you think.