Secret KGB Agent Trixie

Trixie sipped from her tea, looking around the apartment. She felt the need for some dark, Feathrian tea. She missed her country, even though she did not want to admit it.

She looked outside at the city beneath. The Crystal Empire radiated glory and warmth, even though it was one of the northernmost cities in the world. It was natural that it was going to be a point of conflict between Feathria and Equestria, given its position. Yet, against all odds, the Crystal Empire maintained its independence from Feathria and Equestria. It kept itself important, a center of trade, wealth and science. Neither Celestia nor Sombra would conquer it, directly. Celestia avoided this due to political reasons: attacking the Crystal Empire would make a bad impression on her subjects, and a revolt was the last thing she wanted on her hooves. Sombra had a different problem, namely strategic: the Crystal Heart.

The Crystal Empire maintained itself as a center of magic and science, and this came with its perks. One of these perks was the concentration of inventivity in its capital, leading to great advancements. Then, there was the problem of maintaining independence from the two rival powers. A direct confrontation would have ended in disaster - Feathria and Equestria, in their race for power, had a much bigger and better trained army. The result was and is one of the most advanced magical protection devices - the Crystal Heart.

The Crystal Heart’s mode of operation is quite simple in theory - it filters the good-intentioned and the badly-intentioned, and filters constructive magic from destructive magic. However, this uses a lot of energy - more than one unicorn can provide normally. The Crystal Empire has pioneered a different method of extracting energy, or rather a different source: the informational and “soul” level

This magical level is rarely ever used -  for good reason. Interaction with it has been proven to be extremely hard, and even the best fail at doing the most basic things through it. What is even worse is that it rejects most magic - it’s even been theorized that it, or parts of it, are sentient. What is certain however is that it provides an amazing amount of energy - but only when beings in an area are in a certain mood - mainly that of happiness and exhilaration.

Sombra was, of course, aware of the situation, and he had his solution. Or rather, Trixie had the solution. Sombra relied on Trixie’s ability, so much that some said he was too trusting of her. Those of his entourage with this opinion believed she was going to profit off her position - and were also secretly hoping they’d be able to take advantage of that, for their own purposes.

Trixie didn’t build up her reputation on words alone, or she wouldn’t have become Sombra’s right hoof pony. She built it through deceit - deceit which was eventually noticed by Sombra, though not before she climbed the ranks and was close to overthrowing Sombra entirely. Trixie allowed herself to be discovered however. She wanted to be in Sombra’s employ - though she had her own reasons for not directly replacing him. Sombra’s fall could destabilize the SSRF, and it would be disastrous if someone without the support of Sombra’s current entourage would ascend to power.

For that reason, Trixie decided to take the next best thing. She was fit for the job anyways, her very being was made for this. That is why she was sent to the Crystal Empire. She operates as a high class individual, something no one would associate that with Sombra’s brutal ways.

The Crystal Empire has provided, for a long time, stability. It has kept Feathria and Equestria in a bloodless stalemate.

“Not for long” thought Trixie.